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, -iJUd^^^iryy^ ■ 321: 



Bible Stories 



ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE CHURCH YEAR 
WITH QUESTIONS, APPLICATIONS AND HELPS. 



M> 



Edited by 

Rev. M. Vitz, A. M. 





SI/ 


' J 3 


3J ^ »>■>»>»' »• 


> « 
1 » 


* 




CLEVELAND, 


0. 








Central 


Publishing House, ii 
1902. 


34" 


■I 138 Pearl St., 







LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Cepies Received 

MAR 23 1904 

Copyright £-ntry 
CLASS -^ XXc. No. 

COPY a [ 



i5 Ol 



Copyrighted, 1902. 
CENTRAL PUBLISHING HOUSE, 

AUG. BECKER, MGR. 

1134-1138 Pearl St., Cleveland, 0. 



"^ PREFACE. 



^ Bible Stories is based on the celebrated work of Dr. Zahn, 

r which is favorably known in Europe and this country^ both for care- 
1u ful selection and excellent arrangement, as well as for its simple 
.<=^^Bible language. Several years ago the late Rev. Dr. N. Gehr enhanced 
■^ its usefulness by supplying questions and applications, and adding a 
sketch of Church History and other helps. There has been, for some 
time, a growing demand for an English edition adapted for Sabbath 
schools and catechetical classes in which both languages obtained. 
At the same time the English edition was to be complete in itself, 
so as to render possible its use where the English language prevails. 
The English, therefore, follows very closely the German edition. The 
questions and applications are translated and carry the same num- 
bers, so that where both editions are used the same subjects may be 
readily found in both. The selections will prove an excellent intro- 
duction to the study of the Bible, while the language of the Scriptures, 
which is maintained throughout, will become familiar to the pupil. 
It is the hope and the prayer of its publishers as well as of the 
editor, that the English edition will prove a source of spiritual bless- 
ing to the young, as now for many years the German has, and thus 
magnify the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. 

M. V. 



CONTENTS. 



Old Testament Stories. 



Trinity. 



1. after 
'Xi inity . 

% after 
Trinity. 

3. after 
Trinity. 

4. after 
Trinity. 

5. after 
Trinity. 



6. after 
Trinity. 



7. after 
Trinity. 



21. 



The Creation. 

The Garden of Eden— Par- 
adise. 
Man's Fall. 

Cain and Abel. 

The Flood. 

The Tower of Babel. 

The Calling of Abraham. 
Isaac is Promised. 
The Destruction of Sodom 
and Gomorrah. 

Isaac's Birth and Offering. 
Isaac and Rebecca. 
Jacob and Esau. 

Jacob flees to Padanaram 

(Mesopotamia.) 
Jacob and Laban. 
Jacob's Wrestling. 
Joseph and his Brethren. 
Joseph in Prison. 
Joseph's Elevation. 
The Famine 
Joseph's Brethren go again 

to Egypt. 
Joseph makes himself 

known to his Brethren. 

Jacob goes into Egypt. 
Jacob's Farewell Blessing. 
Job. 



(25 
Tvfnu J i 26! The Call of Moses. 
±nnity. ^^27. Moses goes to Pharao. 

f28. The Exodus out of Egypt. 
9. after I 29. Israel in the Wilderness. 
Trinity. 1 30. The Giving of the Law on 

l Sinai. 

in oftpr (31- The Golden Calf . 

Tr'initv 1 32. The Spies. 

irinity. j^gg^ r^^^ Rebellion of Korah. 



34. 

11. after J op- 
Trinity.]*: 

L 

r37. 

12. after J 38, 
Trinity. 1 39. 

L 

13. after Jf?' 
Trinity. ^J^; 



The Setting-out in^the Des- 
ert. 

Balak and Balaam. 

The Farewell and Death 
of Moses. 

The Destruction of Jericho. 
Achan's Trespass. 
Joshua's Victories and 
Death. 

Gideon. 

The Story of Samson. 

Ruth, the Moabitess. 



U. after 
Trinity. 

15. after 
Trinity. 



r43. 

144. 
j45. 

46. 

47. 
48. 



r49. 

16. after J 
Trinity. 1 50. 

151. 

17. after f f^' 
Trinity, j^t 

18. after f^f- 
Trinity. \f^ 

r58. 



19. after 
Trinity. 



20. after 
Trinity. 



21. after 
Trinity. 



22. after 
Trinity. 



23. after 
Trinity. 



^59. 
160. 
L 

rei. 

^62. 

[63. 

r64. 
I 65. 



66. 



I 

r67. 

^ 68. 
169. 

r7o. 
71. 

72. 



r73. 

24. after ! ''*' 
Trinity. 1 1^5 

I 

r76. 
I 

25. after J 77. 
Trinity. | 



26. after J JJ* 
Trinity. 1 °^; 



Eli and Samuel. 
Saul is chosen King. 
Saul's Disobedience and 
his Rejection. 

The Anointing of David. 
David and Goliath. 
David and Jonathan. 

Saul's Persecution of Da- 
vid. 
The Death of Saul. 
David is made King. 

David sins and repents. 

Absalom. 

The last Days of David. 

King Solomon. 

Solomon builds the Temple. 

The last Days of Solomon. 

The Division of the King- 
dom. 

Elijah the Prophet. 

Elijah and the Prophets of 
Baal. 

Elijah's Flight. 

Elijah's Prophecy against 

Ahab and his House. 
The Ascension of Elijah. 

Elisha's Miracles. 
Elisha and Naaman. 
Elisha is pursued by the 

Syrians. 
Jonah the Prophet. 
The ten Tribes taken into 

Captivity. 
King Hezekiah. 

Josiah and Jeremiah. 

The Destruction of Jerusa- 
lem. 

Ezekiel among the Cap- 
tives. 

Daniel and his Friends. 

Daniel interprets Nebu- 
chadnezzar's Dream. 

The three Men in the Burn- 
ing Fiery Furnace. 

The Fall of Nebuchadnez- 
zar. 

King Belshazzar and the 
Reduction of Babylon. 

The Return out of Captiv- 
ity. 

Queen Esther. 

Ezra. 

Nehemiah. 



New Testament Stories 



1. Adv. 



r 7. 

I 8. 

3. Adv. -i 

I 9. 
L 

no. 

4. Adv. i 11. 



L 

Sunday CIS. 

after < 14. 

Newyear. Ll5. 

ri6. 

1. after 
Epiph. 



1. Behold I Come. 

2. Hosannah to the Son of 
David. 

3. Zaeharias and Elizabeth. 

4. Mary and the Angel Glab- 

2. Adv. ^ 5^ Mary 'and Elizabeth. 

6. The Birth of John the 
[ Baptist. 

The Birth of Jesus Christ. 
The Presentation of Jesus 

in the Temple. 
The Wise Men from the 

East. 

The Flight into Egypt and 
the Slaughter ot the In- 
nocents. 

Jesus in the Temple at the 
Age of Twelve. 
12. John the Baptist and 
Preacher of Kepentance. 

Jesus Baptized of John. 
The Temptation of Jesus. 
The first Disciples of Jesus. 

Jesus at the Marriage in 
I Cana. 

■{ 17. Jesus and Nicodemus. 
1 18. Christ and the Woman of 
t Samaria. 

ri9. Christ Teaches in the Syna- 
I gogue at Nazareth. 

20. Peter's Draught of Fishes, 
and the Calling of the 
Apostles. 
One Sick of the Palsy Heal- 
ed. 

The Centurion in Caper- 
naum. 
■{ 23. The Sermon in the Mount. 
I 24. The Young Man of Nain 
(. Raised from Death. 

[25. The Penitent Sinner. 
4- after J 26. Jesus at the Pool of Bethes- 
Epiph. 1 da. 

i 27. Some Parables of Jesus. 
f 28. Jesus stilleth the Tempest. 
5. after j 29. Jairus' Daughter, and the 
j Sick Woman. 

L 30. John the Baptist.Beheaded. 
'31. Jesus feedeth five thou- 
sand Men, and Walketh 
up on the Sea. 

32. The Woman of Canaan. 

33. A Deaf-mute and a Blind 
Man healed. 

'34. The Man that was Born 
Blind. 
Septuag. -{ 35. Jesus the Good Shepherd. 
1 36. Peter, and the Transfigura- 
[ tion of Christ. 

f 37. The Good Samaritan. 
Sexag. -{ 38. The Great Supper. 
(39. The Prodigal Son. 



a 



2. after 
Epiph. 



3. after 
Epiph. 



121. 
L 

r22. 
I 



Epiph. 



6. after 
Epiph. 



Estomih 

42. 
I 

r43. 

Invocav. ■{ 44. 

45. 

'46. 



Beminis. i 47. 

I 

148. 

L 

OcuU. Uq^ 
151. 
f52. 

Laetare. ■{ 53. 

154. 

(55. 
Judica. ] [-a 



Palmar. 



Easter. 



Quasim. 



Meseric. i 



Jubilate. ■{ 71. 
I 
172. 

r73. 
I 
Cantate. ■{ 74. 

Rogation.^ 77. 



Exaudi. 



f 40. The Rich Man and Lazarus. 
41. Lazarus is raised from the 
Dead. 
The last Journey of Jesua 
to Jerusalem. 

Jesus' Entrance into Je- 
rusalem. 

The Withered Figtree. 

The Parable of the Vine- 
yard. 

The Destruction of Jerusa- 
lem and the End of the 
World. 

The Parable of the Ten 
Virgins. 

The Institution of the 
Lord's Supper. 

The Last Discourses of Je- 

ses. 
Jesus in Gethsemane. 
Judas Betrays Jesus. 

Jesus before the Spiritual 

Court. 
Peter's Denial. 
The End of Judas the 

Traitor. 

Jesus before the Temporal 

Court. 
Jesus is Sentenced. 
The Crucifixion. 

The Seven last Words of 

Jesus on the Cross. 
The Burial of Jesus. 
The Resurrection. 

Jesus appears to Mary and 
His Disciples. 

The Disciples from Em- 
maus. 

Jesus " appears to His Apos- 
tles and to Thomas. 

Jesus at the Sea of Tiberias. 
The Ascension of Christ. 
The first Christian Pente- 
cost. 

Peter Heals a Lame Beg- 
gar. 
Ananias and Sapphira. 
Stephen is Stoned to Death. 

The Chamberlain from 

Ethopia. 
The Conversion of Paul the 

Apostle. 
Cornelius the Centurion. 

The First Missionary Jour- 
ney of Paul the Apostle. 
Paul at Lystra and Derbe. 
Paul's Second Missionary 

Journey. 
. Paul at Athens. 
Paul at Corinth. 
, Paul at Ephesus. 

r79. Paul a Prisoner. 

1 80. Paul's Voyage tow. Rom. 



10 



OLD Testament stories. 



I. THE CREATION. 
Genesis 1. 

*In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 
^And the earth as without form, and void; and darkness was 
upon the face of the deep : and the Spirit of God moved upon 
the face of the waters. 

^And God said, Let there be Hght: and there was Hght. 
And God saw the Hght that it was good : *and God divided the 
light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and 
the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the 
morning were the first day. 

°And God said. Let there be a firmament in the midst of 
the waters ; and it was so. And God called the firmament 
Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second 
day. 

'And God said. Let the waters under the heaven be gath- 
ered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear; 
and it was so. ^And God called the dry land Earth, and the 
gathering together of the waters called He Seas. ^And God 
said. Let the earth put forth grass, and herb and the fruit tree : 
and it was so. And there was evening and there was morning, 
a third day. 

'And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the 
heaven to divide the day from the night ; and let them be for 
signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. And God 
made the two great lights ; the greater light to rule the day, 
and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 
And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. 

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly 
living creatures. "And God created the great sea monsters, and 
every living creature after its kind, and every winged fowl. 
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful and multiply. And 
there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. 

u 



12 THE CREATION. Primitive time. 

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the Hving creature, 
cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth. ^^And God 
said. Let us make man in our own image, after our hkeness : 
and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over 
the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, 
and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 
^'And God created man in His own image, in the image of 
God created He him ; male and female created He them. And 
God blessed them and said unto them. Be fruitful, and multi- 
ply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion 
■over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over 
every living thing. ^^And God saw everything that He had 
made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening 
and there was morning, the sixth day. 

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the 
host of them. And "on the seventh day God finished His work 
which He had made ; and He rested on the seventh day from 
-all His work. And He blessed the seventh day and hallowed 
it, because in it He rested from all His work. 

^ What did God create in the beginning? 

" How was the appearance of the earth ? 

^ ^Yhat did God say Avhen He created light? 

* How did day and night arise ? 

^ What did God create on the second day? 

® What did God say on the third day ? 

" What did God call the dry land and the gathering together of 
the waters? 

MVhat was the earth to bring forth? 

® What did God create on the fourth day ? 
"What animals did God create on the fifth day? 
^MYhat did God say when He created man? 
" How many persons did He create at first ? 
^^ How w^as everything that God had created? 
" W^hat did God do on the seventh day ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Our God is in the heavens; He hath done whatsoever He 
pleased. (Ps. 115: 3.) Happy is that people. — happy is every single 
person, — whose God is the Lord. (Ps. 144: 15.) 

2. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by 
the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of 
things which do appear. (Heb.'ll: 3.) 

3. If you believe that the Creator of heaven and earth is your 
God and your Father, you will expect all good things from Him, 



Primitive time. THE GARDEN OF EDEN— PARADISE. 13 

because He is able to give them as Almighty God, and willing, be- 
cause He is a faithful Father. 



Glory be to God on high, — 

•God, whose glory fills the sky. 

Hail, by all Thy works adored! 

Hail, the everlasting Lord! 

Thee with thankful hearts we prove,- 

God of power, and God of love! 



2. THE GARDEN OF EDEN— PARADISE. 

Genesis 2. 

Thus the heavens and earth were finished : ^And the Lord 
God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into 
his nostrils the breath of hfe ; and man became a Hving soul. 
'And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden ; and 
there He placed the man whom He had formed. And out of the 
ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant 
to the sight, and good for food ; \he tree of life also in the 
midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and 
evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden ; and 
it was parted and became four heads : Pishon, Gihon, Hiddekel 
and Euphrates. 

And the Lord God took the man and put him into the 
garden of Eden to dress it and keep it. And the Lord God 
commanded the man, saying, *Of every tree of the garden thou 
mayest freely eat : but of the tree of the knowledge of good and 
evil, thou shalt not eat of it : ^for in the day that thou eatest 
thereof thou shalt surely die. 

And the Lord God said. It Is not good that man should be 
alone ; I will make him an help meet for him. And when the 
Lord God had formed out of the ground all beasts of the earth, 
He brought them to the man to see what he would call them. 
*And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the 
air, and to every beast of the field ; but for man there was not 
found an help meet for him. ^And the Lord God caused a deep 
sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept : and He took one of 
his ribs, and closed his side with flesh. And the rib, which the 
Lord God had taken from the man, made He a woman and 
brought her to the man. ^And the man said, This is now bone 



14 MANS FALL. Primitive time. 

of my bones, and flesh of my flesh : she shall be called Woman 
because she was taken out of ]^Ian. Therefore shall a man 
leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his 
wife. — And they were both naked, the man and his wife and 
were not ashamed. 

^ How did God create man? 
^ Where did He place him ? 
' ^Yhat two trees receive particular mention ? 

* \Yhat command did God o-ive to man ? 

'How was he to be punished if he did not obey? 
•Why did God bring all beasts and fowls unto Adam? 
'How did God create Eve, a help for Adam? 

* What did Adam say when God brought Eve to him ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Remember that you have received body and soul from God, 
and that He created you so wonderfully. Therefore glorify God in 
your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Cor. 6: 20.) 

2. Remember that God did not create woman from the head of 
man to rule over him; nor from his feet, to be oppressed; but from a 
rib which lay near the heart, to be loved by him. 

3. Remember that God created man good and in His own image, 
that he might rightly know God. his Creator, heartily love Him, and 
live with Him in eternal happiness, to glorify Him and to praise Him. 



Come, worship at His throne, 
Come, bow before the i^ord: 

We are His work and not our own; 
He formed us bv His word. 



3. MAN'S FALL. 

Genesis 3. 

The serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field, 
and said unto the woman, 'Yea, hath God said. Ye shall not 
eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto 
the serpent, 'We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden. 
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, 
God hath said. Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, 
lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, ^Ye shall not 
surely die. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, 
then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing 



Primitive time. MAN'S FALL. 15 

good and evil. *And when the woman saw that the tree was 
good for food and to make one wise, she took of the fruit 
thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband, and he 
did eat. 

^And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew 
that they were naked ; and they sewed fig leaves together, and 
made themselves aprons. '^And Adam and Eve heard the voice 
of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. 
And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of 
the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord 
God called unto Adam, and said unto him. Where art thou? 
And he said, ^I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was 
afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And He said, 
*Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou not eaten 
of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest 
not eat ? And Adam said, 'The woman Thou gavest to be with 
me, she gave me of the tree and I did eat. And God said unto 
the woman, What is this thou hast done? ^''The woman said, 
The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 

And God said unto the serpent, "Because thou hast done 
this, cursed art thou above all cattle, and above every beast of 
the field. Upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou 
eat all the days of thy life. ^S* ^And I will put enmity be- 
tween thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; 
it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel. 

Unto the woman He said, ^Tn sorrow thou shalt bring 
forth children ; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he 
shall rule over- thee. And unto Adam He said, "Because thou 
hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife ; cursed is the ground 
for thy sake ; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy 
life ; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee ; and 
thou shalt eat the herb of the field ; in the sweat of thy face shalt 
thou eat bread till thou return unto the ground, out of which 
thou wast taken ; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou 
return. ^^And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife 
coats of skins, and clothed them. And He sent them forth from 
the garden of Eden, and placed the cherubim with the flaming 
sword, to keep the way of the tree of life. 

^ What did the serpent say to the woman ? 
'^What did the woman answer the serpent? 
^ What did the serpent then say ? 
* What did the woman now do ? 



16 CAIN AND ABEL. Primitive time. 

"What was the result? 
•Whose voice did Adam and Eve hear? 
■^ What was Adam's answer when the Lord called him ? 
^What did the Lord say to him? 
^How did Adam try to excuse himself? 
^^ Upon whom did the woman try to put the blame ? 
" What did God say to the serpent ? 
^^ Repeat the first promise given in the Bible. 
" Ho# was the woman punished ? 
"What did God say to Adam? 
I'^What did God do with Adam and Eve? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Whenever several persons sin together they always try to 
turn the blame upon one another; yet they will all receive their pun- 
ishment. 

2. Never say " I could not help it, I had to do it," whenever 
you disobey God's commandment. Eve was tempted, it is true, but 
God looked upon her deed as wilful disobedience and punished her 
accordingly. 

6. Through the fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam 
and Eve, in Paradise, sin entered the world, and death, through sin. 

Great God, create my heart anew. 
And form my spirit pure and true: 
Oh, make me wise betimes to see 
My danger and my remedy. 
Good is the Lord our God, 

His truth and mercy sure; 
While earth and heaven shall last, 
His promises endure. 



4. CAIN AND ABEL. 

Genesis 4, 5. 

Adam and Eve had two sons, whose names were Cain and 
Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the 
ground. ^It came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the 
ground an offering unto the Lord, and Abel brought of the 
firstlings of his flock. ^And the Lord had respect unto Abel 
and his offering; but unto Cain and his offering He had not 
respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 
And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and 
why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou 



Primitive time. CAIN AND ABEL. 17 

not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at 
the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt 
rule over him. 

And Cain talked with his brother ; *and when they were in 
the field, Cain rose up against his brother and killed him. And 
the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother ? 'And he 
said, I know not : Am I my brother's keeper ? ^And the Lord 
said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood 
crieth to me from the ground which hath opened its mouth to 
receive thy brother's blood from thy hand. When thou tillest 
the ground it shall not yield unto thee its strength ; a fugitive 
and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth. And Cain said 
unto the Lord, ^My punishment is greater than I can bear. 
Behold, Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of 
the ground, and from Thy face shall I be hid ; and I shall be a 
fugitive and a wanderer in the earth ; and it shall come to pass, 
that whosoever findeth me shall slay me. And the Lord said 
unto him, Whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on 
him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any 
finding him should kill him. Thus Cain went out from the 
presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the Land of Nod, on the 
east of Eden. 

And Cain's wife bare ^Enoch. And Cain builded a city and 
called it after the name of his son, Enoch. From Enoch is 
descended *Lamech, who took unto him two wives : the name 
of the one was Adah, and the name of the other was Zillah. 
Adah bare * Jabal : he was the father of such as dwell in tents 
and have cattle. And his brother's name was *Jubal : from 
him are descended all such as handle the harp and the pipe. 
And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain the artificer in brass and 
iron. 

Eve again bare a son and called him Seth : 'For, said she, 
God hath appointed me another son instead of Abel whom 
Cain slew. ^"Cain's descendants feared not the Lord their 
God and they were called the sons of men ; "but Seth's de- 
scendants feared God, and they were called the sons of God, to 
whom God revealed His will. They began to call upon the 
name of the Lord, for many forsook the Lord their God. 
Such a son of God was Enoch. ^^He proclaimed in the name 
of God to the fallen world. Behold, the Lord cometh with 
many thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all 
2 



18 CAIN AND ABEL. Primitire time. 

ungodly. "Because he led a godly life God took him up into 
heaven, so that he saw not death. But "Adam died when he 
was 930 years old, after he had -seen children and children's 
children. ^"His great grandson Methuselah was even 969 years 
old, ^Vhose son's name was Lamech. Lamech named his son 
Noah and said, This same shall comfort us for our work and 
toil on earth which the Lord had cursed. 

^ What offering did the two brothers bring unto God ? 
^ Upon whose offering did the Lord look with favor ? 

* \Yhat did the Lord say to Cain who was very wi'oth ? 

* \Yhat did Cain do unto his brother ? 

° ^Yhat reply did he make when the Lord asked him, Where is thy 
brother Abel? 

® What did the Lord then say? 

'What was Cain's reply? 

® Repeat the names of me descendants of Cain. 

® What did Eve say when Seth was born? 
^"What do the Scriptures say of Cain's descendants? 
^ What praise is siA-en to the descendants of Seth? 
^What did the godly Enoch do? 
"How did God reward his godliness? 
^*How old was Adam when he died? 
" How old was his great grandson Methuselah ? 
" What was the name of ^lethuselah's son and his son's son ? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. Two persons may do the same good work; yet God may reject 
the work of the one while He looks with favor upon that of the other. 
For those only are good works which are done from true faith^ accord- 
ing to the law of God and for His glory. 

2. En^-v. hatred, anger and desire for revensre are OTeat sins and 
form the root and motive of murder. 

3. However secretly evil may be done. God hears it, God sees it, 
God punishes it; you cannot escape from Him. 



Our God is love ! and all His saints 

His iniage bear below; 
The heart with love to God inspired, 

With love to man shall glow. 
Oh. may we love each other. Lord, 

As we are loved of Thee: 
For none are truly born of God 

Who live in enmitv. 



-O- 



Primitive time. THE FLOOD. 19 

5. THE FLOOD. 
Genesis 6-9. 

Men began to multiply on the face of the earth. And the 
sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; 
and they took them wives of all that they chose. And the 
Lord said, 'My spirit shall not strive with man forever, for 
he also is flesh. Yet shall his days be an hundred and twenty 
years. And when the Lord saw that the wickedness of man 
was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the 
thoughts of his heart was evil continually, it repented the Lord 
that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His 
heart. And He said, I will destroy man whom I have created 
from the face of the earth. 

^But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, for Noah 
was a righteous man in his generation, and walked with God. 
And God said unto Noah, ^The end of all flesh is come before 
me ; for the earth is filled with violence through them ; and 
behold, I will destroy them from the earth. "Make thee an ark 
of gopher wood ; rooms slialt thou make in the ark, and shalt 
pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is how thou 
shalt make it : The length 300 cubits, the breadth fifty cubits, 
and the height of it thirty cubits ; a window and a door shalt 
thou make in the ark, and three stories. And thou shalt bring 
into the ark all kinds of beasts, of fowls, cattle and creeping 
things ; and shalt take for thyself and for them of all food that is 
eaten. Thus did Noah, according to all that God commanded 
him. 

And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy 
house into the ark : for thee have I seen righteous before 
me in this generation. Noah was six hundred years old when 
the flood of waters was upon the earth. ^And he entered the 
ark with his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and his wife 
and the wives of his sons. And all kinds of beasts went to him 
in pairs into the ark, as God had commanded him : and the 
Lord shut him ' in. ®On the seventeenth day of the second 
month, on the same day were all the fountains of the great 
deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. 
And the waters increased greatly upon the earth, so that all the 
high mountains were covered. Fifteen cubits did the waters 
cover the mountains. And all flesh died, fowls, cattle, beasts, 



20 THE FLOOD. Primitive time. 

and every man, ^And the waters prevailed an hundred and 
fifty days. 

And God remembered Noah. And God made a wind to 
pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged and returned 
from off the earth. ^On the seventeenth day of the seventh 
month the ark rested upon the mountains of Ararat. In the 
tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of 
the mountains seen. At the end of forty days Noah opened the 
window and sent forth a raven, which went to and fro, until 
the waters were dried up from off the earth. Thereafter he sent 
forth a dove. But the dove found no rest for her foot, and 
returned unto him, and Noah put forth his hand and brought 
her into the ark. He stayed yet other seven days and again 
sent forth a dove, which returned to him at eventide; and, lo, 
in her mouth was an oHve leaf plucked off. Noah stayed yet 
other seven days and sent forth a dove, and she returned not 
again unto him. 

Noah now removed the covering of the ark. And the earth 
was dry on the twenty-seventh day of the second month. And 
God spake unto Noah, saying. Go forth of the ark, thou 
and thy wife, thy sons and thy sons' wives, and every living 
thing that is with thee. ^A.nd Noah builded an altar unto the 
Lord and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord 
said, ^°I will not again curse the ground for man's sake ; for 
the imagination of man's heart is evil from his vouth. While 
the earth remaineth, seedtime and har\^est, and cold and heat, 
and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. 
And God blessed Noah and his sons and said, Be fruitful, and 
multiply, and replenish the earth. Behold, I will establish my 
covenant with you ; neither shall there any more be flood. ^I do 
set my bow in the cloud and it shall be for a token of a covenant 
between me and the earth. 

^What did the Lord say of the people when they began to mul- 
tiply ? 

* What does our lesson say of Xoah? 

•What did the Lord say to him? 

*What kind of ark or boat was Xoah commanded to build? 

•^ Who went into the ark with Xoah according to the command of 
the Lord? 

*What happened when Xoah and his family were in the ark? 

^How long did the waters continue to rise? 

•When and where did the ark come to rest? 

^What did Xoah do when he had left the ark? 



Primitive time. THE TOWER OF BABEL. ~21 

"What did the Lord say? 

^^ What was the sign with which God confirmed His covenant? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Whenever man lives according to the will of the flesh, and the 
Spirit of God will no longer strive with him, he hurries straightway to 
destruction. 

2. Even in evil times and among wicked people, one may lead 
a pious life through the grace of God. Noah is an example. 

3. The Lord always watches over His children and knows how 
to save them in a wonderful way, whenever the wicked people meet 
destruction. 

4. Never forget to bring a thank-offering you owe your Saviour, 
whenever He has helped and saved you from spiritual or bodily distress. 



Yet, clouds will intervene, 

And all my prospect flies; 
Like Noah's dove I flit between 

Rough seas and stormy skies. 
Anon the clouds depart. 

The winds and waters cease; 
While sweetly o'er my gladdened heart 

Expands the bow of peace. 



-O- 



6. THE TOWER OF BABEL. 

Genesis 9-11. 

Noah began to be an husbandman, and planted a vineyard . 
"^And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years, 
that all his days were nine hundred and fifty years : and he died. 
'And his sons, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, Ham, 
and Japheth ; of these was the earth overspread with people, 
after the flood. ^The children of Shem remained in Asia, and 
God was with them. *The children of Japheth went mostly to 
the West, to the islands and to Europe. ^The children of Ham 
went to the regions of the South and to torrid Africa. ^From 
Ham, Nimrod descended, who began to be a mighty one in 
the earth, and a mighty hunter. The beginning of his kingdom 
was Babel. 

But the whole earth was of one language. And it came 
to pass, as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the 
land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to 



22 THE TOWER OF BABEL. Primitive time. 

another, Go to, let us make brick and burn them thoroughly. 
And they had brick for stone, and slime for mortar. ^Go to, let 
us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto 
heaven, and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad 
upon the face of the whole earth. '*And the Lord came down 
to see the city and the tower, which the children of men 
builded. And the Lord said, Behold, they are one people, and 
they have all one language ; and nothing will be withholden 
from them which they purpose to do. Go to, let us go down, 
and there confound their language, that they may not under- 
stand one another's speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad 
from thence upon the face of all the earth : and they left off 
to build the city. 'Therefore was the name of it called Babel, 
because the' Lord did there confound the language of all the 
earth and from thence did scatter them abroad upon the face 
of all the earth. 

^How old was Xoah when he died? 

^ ^Yhat were the names of his sons ? 

^ Where did the children of Shem continue to dwell ? 

* Where did the children of Japheth go? 

° Where did the children of Ham settle ? 

®Who was the founder of Babel? 

^ Why did the people intend to build a tower ? 

^How was the building of the tower stopped? 

*\Miy was the city and the tower called Babel? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Nothing can prosper that is undertaken against the will and 
plans of God. The people had intended to stay together; it was 
God's will that they should spread out and replenish the earth. 

2. No matter how, great and noble a work may be, if it is 
done merely for the sake of vain-glory, and to make a name, it is an 
abomination in the sight of God. 

3. Remember that our actions are not to glorify ourselves, but 
God's holy name forever. 



Let not the world engage our love, 
Nor cares our bosoms fill; 

But fix our hearts on things above, 
That we may do Thy will. 



B. C. 1923. THE CALLING OF ABRAHAM. 23 

7. THE CALLING OF ABRAHAM. 
Genesis 11-14. 

^Terah, a descendant of Shem, lived at Ur of the Chaldees. 
'And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his 
son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife 
— who had no child — and went forth with them from Ur of 
the Chaldees to go into the Land of Canaan ; and they came 
unto Haran, and dwelt there. 'But Terah served other gods. 
Josh. 24 : 2. And the Lord said unto Abram, ^^^*Get thee 
out of thy. country, and from thy kindred, and from thy 
father's house unto a land that I will show thee. And I will 
make thee a great nation, and will bless thee, and make thy 
name great; and in thee shall all the families of the earth he 
blessed. 

So Abram went, as the Lord had spoken unto him ; and 
Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old. 
''When they had come into that land, Abram passed through 
unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. The 
Canaanites dwelt then in the land. And the Lord appeared 
unto Abram, and said, ^Unto thy seed will I give this land. 
And there builded he an altar. ^Thereafter he removed from 
thence unto the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched 
his tent, and builded there an altar unto the Lord, and called 
upon the name of the Lord. ^But a famine came into the land, 
and Abram went down into Egypt, for the famine was sore 
in the land. And Pharaoh treated Abram well ; and he had 
sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and menservants, and maid- 
servants, and she-asses, and camels. 

And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and 
Lot with himi. ^And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, 
and in gold ; and he came to Bethel, unto the place of the altar, 
which he had made there at first, and called on the name of the 
Lord. Lot also had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land 
was not able to bear them. And there was a strife between 
Abram's herdmen and Lot's herdmen. "And Abram said unto 
Lot, let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, 
and my herdmen and thy herdmen ; is not the whole land before 
thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me. If thou wilt take 
the left hand, then I will go to the right ; or if thou take the 
right hand, then I will go to the left. So Lot chose him all the 
plain of Jordan and pitched his tent toward Sodom. "Now the 



24 THE CALLING OF ABRAHAM. B. C. 1923. 

men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against the Lord ex- 
ceedingly. After Lot was separated from Abram, the Lord 
said unto him, Look northward, and southward, and eastward, 
and westward ; all the land which thou seest I will give to thee. 
^'And it came to pass that Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, 
and the kings that were with him, made war with the king of 
Sodom. And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, 
and all their victuals, and went their way, and took Lot with 
them. ''When Abram heard this, he armed his three hundred 
and eighteen trained servants, and pursued them and brought 
back all the goods and Lot. — ''When he returned from the 
slaughter of the kings, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought 
forth bread and wine : and he was priest of God jMost High. 
And he blessed him and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most 
High, possessor of heaven and earth. And blessed be God 
Alost High who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hands. 
And Abram gave him a tenth of all his goods. '""And the king 
of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons and take the 
goods for thyself. But Abram said, I lift up my hand unto the 
Lord God ]\Iost High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will 
not take a thread nor a shoe-latchet nor aught that is thine, lest 
thou shouldst say that thou hadst made Abram rich : save only 
the men who went with me, let them take their portion. 

^ \Yho was Terah. and where did he dwell? 

^ Whom did he take with him when he went to Haran? 

^ What gods did Terah serve ? 

* What did God say to Abram ? 

^ Into what land did he and Lot go ? 

® What was the promise the Lord gave Abram when He appeared 

unto him? 
' Where did he then go and what did he do there ? 
^ Why did he go to Egypt ? 

® Where did he go when he went up out of Egypt ? 
" How did Abram become a peacemaker ? 
" Among what kind of people did Lot now dwell ? 
^MThat happened to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah? 
^^What did Abram do when he heard of it? 
^* Who Avent out to meet Abram when he returned a victor ? 
^°How did Abram prove his unselfishness? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. Abram's call was a pure act of gi-ace of God. His whole 
father's house was given to the service of strange gods, while the only 
true God revealed Himself to Abram. 



B. C. 1900. ISAAC IS PROMISED. 25 

2. Abram obeyed the voice of God. He left his country, his 
kindred, and his father's house, without knowing just where he was 
to go; and this was an act of faith. 

3. Abram was rich; yet it was not on account of his wealth, 
but on account of his faith and piety that he pleased God and became 
famous in history. 



He leadeth me! Oh blessed thought! 

O words with heav'nly comfort fraught! 

Whate'er I do, where'er I be, 

Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me. 

Lord! 1 would clasp Thy hand in mine, 

Nor ever murmur, nor repine; 

Content whatever lot I see, 

Since 'tis my God that leadeth me. 



8. ISAAC IS PROAIISED. 

Genesis 15-18. 

After these things the word of the Lord came unto 
Abram, 'Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding 
great reward. And Abram said, 'O Lord God, what wilt Thou 
give me, seeing I go childless. And the Lord commanded him 
to go out, and said, 'Look toward heaven, and tell the stars, 
if thou be able to tell them. And He said unto him, So shall 
thy seed be. *Abram believed the Lord, and He counted it to 
him for righteousness. In that day the Lord made a covenant 
with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land 
from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates. 

Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children, after he 
had already dwelt ten years in Canaan and had received the 
promise. Only Hagar, the Egyptian handmaid, bare Ishmael, 
when Abram was eighty-six years old. ^Now when Abram 
was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said 
unto him, I am God Almighty ; walk before me and be thou 
perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee 
and I will multiply thee exceedingly, ^and thou shalt be the 
father of a multitude of nations. Therefore shall thy name no 
more be called Abram (a high father), but Abraham (father 
of a multitude) ; kings also shall come out of thee. And Sarai 
shall bear thee a son. And thou shalt no more call her Sarai 
(my princess), but Sarah (princess) shall be her name. Then 
Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, 



26 ISAAC IS PROMISED. B. C. 1900. 

Shall a child be born unto" me that is an hundred years old, and 
shall Sarah, tkat is ninety years old, bear ? 

And the Lord again appeared unto Abraham by the oaks 
of !Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. 
*And when he lifted up his eyes and looked, lo three men stood 
over against him. 'And when he saw them, he ran to meet 
them from the tent door, and bowed himself to the earth, and 
said, My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not 
away, I pray thee, from thy sen^ant. Let now a little water 
be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the 
tree. And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your 
heart, after that ye shall pass on. And they said. So do, as thou 
hast said. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah 
and said, ]\Iake ready quickly three measures of fine meal, 
knead it, and make cakes. And he ran unto the herd and 
fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto the servant, 
who hastened to dress it, and he took butter and milk, and the 
calf which he had dressed, and set it before them ; and he stood 
by them under the tree, and they did eat. And they said unto 
him, Where is Sarah thy wife ? And he said, In the tent. And 
he said,*^! w^ll return unto thee when the season cometh round ; 
and, lo, Sarah shall have a son. "Sarah heard it in the tent 
door which was behind him, and she laughed within herself. 
And the Lord said unto Abraham, ^Wherefore did Sarah 
laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord? 

^ What did the Lord say to Abram ? 

^ \Miat was Abram's answer? 

'What did God command Abram to do. and what was His promise? 

* How did Abram receive this promise ? 

* What did God say to Abram when he was ninety-nine years old ? 
' Why did the Lord change his name from Abram to Abraham ? 
^How did the Lord appear to Abraham in the plains of ISIamre? 

* How did Abraham receive the strangers ? 
*What did the Lord say to Abraham about Sarah? 

"What did Sarah do when she heard it? 
"What did the Lord then say? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. As God Himself first revealed in Paradise the Gospel, the 
promise of the Redeemer (Gen. 3: 1.5), afterwards published by the 
holy Patriarchs and Prophets, and foreshadowed by the sacrifices and 
other ceremonies of the law, He also repeated several times, in various 
ways, the promise of Isaac to Abraham, in order to strengthen him in 
faith. 



B. 0. 1900. THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH. 27 

2. Abraham's faith was of the right kind, for he believed in 
God's simple word, believed in. spite of nature and reason, believed 
in hope against hope. 

3. With God all things aie possible; also with him who believes. 



God of all power, and truth, and grace, 

Which shall from age to age endure; 
Whose word, when heav'n and earth shall pass away, 

Remains and stands forever sure. 
Give me a new, a perfect heart, 

From doubt, and fear, and sorrow free; 
The mind which was in Christ impart, 

And let my spirit cleave to Thee. 



9. THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND 
GOMORRAH. 

Genesis 18, 19. 

*The three men, who had been with Abraham, rose up 
from thence, and looked toward Sodom. Abraham went with 
them to bring them on the way. And the Lord said, 'Shall I 
hide from Abraham that which I do ; seeing that all the nations 
of the earth shall be blessed in him? for I know him that he 
will command his children that they shall keep the way of the 
Lord, to do justice and judgment. And the Lord said, ^The cry 
of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is very griev- 
ous. And the men went toward Sodom ; but Abraham stood 
yet before the Lord and said, *Wilt Thou consume the righteous 
with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous in the 
city : wilt Thou not spare the place for the fifty righteous 
that are therein? °The Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty 
righteous, then will I spare all the place for their sake. Abra- 
ham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to 
speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes : Perad- 
venture there shall lack five of the fifty righteous : wilt Thou 
destroy all the city for lack of five? And He said, I will not 
destroy it, if I find there be forty and five. And 
he continued and said, Peradventure there shall be forty 
found there. And He said, I will not do it for the forty's sake. 
Abraham said, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak : 
Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And He said, I 
will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I 



28 THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMuRRAH. B. C. 1898. 

have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord : Peradventure 
there shall be twenty found there. And He said, I will not 
destroy it for twenty's sake. And Abraham said, Oh, let not 
the Lord be. an^y, and I will speak yet but this once : Per- 
adventure ten shall be found there. And He said, 'I will not 
destroy it for the ten's sake. And the Lord went His way, 
as soon as He had left communing with Abraham : and Abra- 
ham returned unto his place. 

The two angels came to Sodom at even. 'And Lot sat in 
the gate. And when he saw them he rose up and bowed him- 
self, and said. Turn aside, I pray you, into your servant's 
house, and tarry all night, wash your feet, and tomorrow you 
shall go on your way. And they said. Xay. but Ave will abide 
in the street all night. And he urged them greatly, and they 
turned in unto him : and he made them a feast, and did bake 
unleavened bread, and they did eat. ""But before they lay down 
the men of the citv of Sodom surrotmded the house, young and 
old, all the people, and said, AMiere are the men which came 
in to thee this night ? bring them out. Lot went out and shut 
the door after him. and said, I pray you. my brethren, do not 
so wickedly. 'And they said. Stand back. This one fellow- 
came to sojourn and he will needs be a judge. And they 
pressed sore upon Lot and dreAv near to break the door : %ut 
the men brought Lot into the house, and shut the door. "^And 
thev smote the men at the door with blindness, so that they 
could not find the door. 

And the men said unto Lot, AA^homsoever thou hast in the 
city, bring them out of the place for the Lord hath sent us to 
destroy it. And Lot went out and said unto his sons in law, 
which married his daughters, ""'L^p. get you out of this place ; 
for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed unto them as 
one that mocked. And when the morning arose, then the angels 
hastened Lot, saying. Arise, take thy wife, and thy tAVO daugh- 
ters, lest thou, too, be consumed. 

And Lot said, "Oh Lord, Thou hast magnified Thy mercy ; 
I cannot escape to the mountains, lest evil overtake me, and I 
die : Behold, this citv is near, and is a little one. oh, let me 
escape thither. And He said. See. I have accepted thee con- 
cerning this thing also : haste thee, escape thither : for I cannot 
do anvthing till thou be come thither. Therefore this city was 
called Zoar (smallness). The sun was risen upon the earth 



B. C. 1898. THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH. 29- 

when Lot came unto Zoar. "Then the Lord rained upon Sodom 
and Gomorrah brimstone and fire out of heaven, and overthrew 
those cities and all the plain. "But his wife looked back, and 
became a pillar of salt. And Abraham went up early in the 
morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord, and 
looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and, lo, the smoke of the 
land went up as the smoke of a furnace. But Lot went up out 
of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain, for he feared to dwell in 
Zoar, and dwelt in a cave with his two daughters. ^^And from 
Lot are descended the Moabites and the Ammonites. 

^ Where did the strangers go after they had finished their meal ? 

^ What did the Lord say to Abraham ? 

' What did the Lord say about Sodom ana Gomorrah ? 

*How did Abraham intercede in behalf of the doomed cities? 

° What answer did he receive ? 

® How small was the number of righteous found? 

^ Who received the two angels at the gate? 

* What did the wicked people of the city do ? 

° How did they treat Lot when he opposed them? 
"Who helped Lot? 
^^ How w^ere the evil-doers punished ? 
"What did Lot say to his sons-in-law? 
" For what had Lot asked in particular ? 
"What happened when the sun was risen? 
^^ What became of Lot's wife? 
" What nations descended from Lot ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some 
have entertained angels unaw^ares (Heb. 13: 2), as did Abraham and 
Lot. Do likewise. 

2. God is terribly displeased with our original as well as actual 
sins; and will punish them in His just judgment, temporally and eter- 
nally. Punishment will surely come, however slowly. 

3. If you have once left the spiritual Sodom, the world with its 
sinful lusts, do not stand still, do not look back, seek refuge in the 
wounds of Jesus. Remember Lot's wife! 



Alas, what hourly dangers rise! 

What snares beset my way! 
To heaven, oh, let me lift mine eyes, 

And hourly watch and pray. 

Oh gracious God! in whom I live, 

My feeble efforts aid; 
Help me to watch, and pray, and strive, 

Though trembling and afraid. 



30 ISAAC'S BIRTH AND OFFERING. B. C. 1875, 

Oh, keep me in Thy heavenly way, 

And bid the tempter flee! 
And let me never, never stray 

From happiness and Thee, 



10. ISAAC'S BIRTH AND OFFERING. 
Genesis 21, 22. 

^Abraham journeyed from thence to the land of the south 
and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur. And the Lord visited 
Sarah, and she bare Abraham a son at the set time, of which 
God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his 
son Isaac, and circumcised him when he was eight days old, 
as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred 
years old. 

^God proved Abraham again and said unto him, Abra- 
ham : and he said. Here am I. And God said, Take Isaac thine 
only son whom thou lovest, and go into the land of Moriah, and 
offer him there for a burnt-offering upon a mountain which I 
will tell thee. ^And Abraham rose early in the morning, and 
saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and 
Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and 
rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 
On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the 
place afar off. And he said unto his young men, *Abide ye 
here with the ass ; I and the lad will go yonder, and we will 
worship and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood 
of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son ; and he 
took in his hand the fire and a knife. And they went both of. 
them together. Then Isaac said, My father. Abraham said, 
Here am I, my son. And he said, ^Behold, the fire and the 
wood: but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? And 
Abraham said, ^My son, God will provide Himself the lamb 
for a burnt offering. So they went both of them together. 
^And when they came to the place which God had told him of, 
Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and 
bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood, 
and stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 

''And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, 
and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And 
He said. Lay not thine hand upon the lad. For now I know 



B. C. 1875. ISAAC'S BIRTH AND OFFERING. 31 

that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld fhine only 
son from me. **And Abraham lifted up his eyes and beheld 
behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns ; and he 
went and took the ram, and offered him up in the stead of his 
son. '"And Abraham called the' place Jehovah-jireh (the Lord 
sceth). And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham a 
second time out of heaven, and said, "By myself have I sworn, 
saith the Lord, because thou hast done this thing and hast not 
withheld thine only son, that I will bless thee and multiply thy 
seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon 
the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his 
enemies ; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be 
blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. ''So Abraham 
returned to his young men ; and they rose up and went to- 
gether to Beersheba and dwelt there. 

^ Where did Abraham dwell when Isaac was born ? 

*How did God try Abraham? 

* What did Abraham do ? 

* What did he say to his servants on the third day ? 
' What did Isaac say to his father ? 

• What was his father's answer ? 

' How did Abraham intend to carry out the sacrifice ? 

• Who stopped him ? 

•What did Abraham sacrifice in Isaac's stead? 
" What name did Abraham give to the place ? 
" What did tlie angel of the Lord call unto Abraham ? 
" In what place did Abraham dwell after he had returned with 
Isaac and his men? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. God tries the faith of His children in many ways, in order 
that it may shine more brightly and be proved. 

2. True faith clings fast to the Word of God without doubting, 
even if all outward cii'cumstances seem to testify against it. Abra- 
ham believed God could raise up children unto him out of stones. 

3. The greater the trial, the stronger is faith if it endures. 
To render only little sacrifices and to shrink back from great ones 
shows a weak faith. 



Faith is the brightest evidence 

Of things Deyond our sight, 
Breaks througli the clouds of flesh and sense 

And dwells in heav'nly light. 
By faith, we know the worlds were made 

By God's almighty word : 
Abram to unknown countries led 

By faith, obeyed the Lord. 



32 ISAAC AND REBECCA. B. C. 1853. 

II. ISAAC AND REBECCA. 

Genesis 23-26. 

^Sarah was one hundred and twenty-seven years old and 
died in Hebron. And Abraham wept for her. 'After this, he 
buried her in the cave of the field, which he had bought of 
Ephron the Hittite for a burying place. Abraham was old and 
well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed him in all 
things. And he said unto his eldest servant Eliezer, that ruled 
over all that he had, 'I w411 make thee swear by the Lord, the 
God of heaven and earth, that thou shalt not take a wife for 
my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, but shall go unto 
Mesopotamia to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac. 
The Lord shall send his angel before thee. Only thou shalt not 
bring my son thither again. Then Eliezer sware to him con- 
cerning this. *And he took ten camels and all kinds of goodly 
things of his master ; and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, 
unto the city of Nahor. And he made the camels to kneel 
down without the city by the well of water at the time of 
evening that women go out to draw water, and said, °Lord, 
show kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, the daugh- 
ters of the men of the city come out to draw water ; if now a 
damsel cometh to whom I shall say. Let down thy pitcher, and 
she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also : let 
the same be she that Thou hast appointed for Thy servant 
Isaac. 

And before he had done speaking, behold, ^Rebecca came 
out, the daughter of Bethuel, with her pitcher upon her 
shoulder. And she was very fair to look upon. And she went 
down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. And 
Eliezer ran to meet her, and said, Let me drink a little water 
of thy pitcher. ^And she said, Drink, my lord : and she hastened 
and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 
And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw 
for thy camels also. And she hastened, and emptied her 
pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and 
drew for all his camels. Eliezer wondered at her ; holding his 
peace, to know whether the Lord had made his journey pros- 
perous or not. When the camels had done drinking, he took a 
golden ring and two bracelets for her hands, and said, Whose 
daughter art thou ? is there room in thy father's house for us to 
lodge in? And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Beth- 



B. C. 1853. ISAAC AND REBECCA. 33 

uel ; we have both straw and provender enough, and room to 
lodge in. ''And the man bowed his head, and worshiped the 
Lord, and said, Blessed be God who led me to the house of 
my masters' brethren. And Rebecca ran and told her mother's 
house these things. 

'"When Laban, Rebecca's brother, saw the ring and the 
bracelets upon his sister's hands, and heard the words of 
Rebecca, he ran out to Eliezer and said. Come in, thou blessed 
of the Lord: wherefore standest thou without? I have pre- 
pared the house, and room for the camels. And brought the 
man into the house, and ungirded the camels and gave them 
straw and provender, and to Eliezer water to wash his feet, and 
set meat before him to eat. But he said, '^I will not eat until I 
have told mine errand. And they said. Speak on. Then 
Eliezer told all that had happened, and said. And now if ye will 
deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. ''Then Laban 
and Bethuel answered. The thing proceedeth from the Lord. 
Rebecca is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy 
master's son's wife, as the Lord hath spoken. When Eliezer 
heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth unto 
the Lord, and brought forth jewels of silver and of gold, and 
raiment, and gave them to Rebecca, but to her brother and 
mother he gave precious things. 'Tn the morning, he rose up 
and said. Send me away ; hinder me not. "And they called 
Rebecca, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man ? And 
she said, I will go. And they sent away Rebecca, and her 
nurse ; and they blessed her and said, be thou the mother of 
thousands of ten thousands. And Rebecca arose and rode 
upon the camels, and went with Eliezer. '^Isaac had gone out 
to meditate in the field at the eventide ; and he lifted up his eyes, 
and saw, there were camels coming. And Rebecca lifted up 
her eyes, and saw Isaac. And she said unto Eliezer, What man 
is that walketh in the field to meet us? Eliezer said, It is my 
master. And he told Isaac everything. '^Isaac then brought 
her into his mother Sarah's tent, and she became his wife, and 
he loved her. Thus was Isaac comforted after his mother's 
death. 

^ Where did Sarah die and how old was she? 

^ Where was she buried ? 

' What did Abraham say to his oldest servant Eliezer ? 

*How did Eliezer enter upon his journey to Mesopotamia? 

^ What did he ask in prayer of God when he rested at a well ? 

3 



34 JACOB AND ESAU. B. C. 1833. 

^ Who came to the well while he was yet praying? 

'^What did Rebecca say when Eliezer asked her for a drink of 

water ? 
* What presents did he then give her ? 
^ What did Eliezer do when he learned that she was Bethuel's 

daughter ? 
" What did Laban do when Rebecca told him what had happened ? 
"What did Eliezer wish to say before he would eat? 
^ What answer did he receive ? 

"What did Eliezer say when he arose in the morning? 
"What did Rebecca's parents do? 
^^ What did Isaac do when he saw the bridal party? 
^^ Where did Isaac brins: his bride ? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. Pious parents see to it that their children are not united 
unequally, are not married to godless persons. 

2. It is a great good fortune to have faithful servants, to whom 
all things can be entrusted and who do everything with God. 

3. If you notice that anything comes from the Lord, let no one 
interfere. Let the will of the Lord be done. 

4. Those are the happiest marriages that are solemnized in 
prayer, according to the advice of experienced people and with the 
consent of the parents. 



Teach me, my God and King, 
Thy will in all to see; 

And what I do in anything, 
To do it as for I nee. 



12. JACOB AND ESAU. 

Genesis 25-27. 

Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebecca to be his 
wife. But she had no children. So Isaac entreated the Lord 
who heard him. And the Lord said unto Rebecca, ^Thou shalt 
have two sons, and the elder shall serve the younger. And 
when the time came Rebecca bare twins. ^The first was red, 
all over like a hairy garment : and they called him Esau. The 
second, they named Jacob. 'And Esau was a hunter, a man 
of the field; *but Jacob was a plain man dwelling in tents. 
'Now Isaac loved Esau because he did eat of his venison, and 
Rebecca loved Jacob. And Jacob sod pottage. ^And Esau 



B. C. 1833. JACOB AND ESAU. 35 

came in from the field, and was faint, and said unto Jacob, 
Feed me with that red pottage. Jacob said, sell me this day 
thy birthright. And Esau said, behold I am at the point to 
die : what profit shall the birthright do to me ? And Jacob said, 
swear this to me. And he sware unto him. Thus Esau de- 
spised his birthright. 'When Esau was forty years old, he took 
to wife two of the Hittites, which were a grief of mind unto 
Isaac and Rebecca. 

When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he 
could not see, he called Esau, and said, ^Take thy quiver and 
thy bow, and go out to the field and take me venison and make 
me savory meat such as I love, and bring it to me that I may 
cat ; that my soul may bless thee before 1 die. Rebecca heard 
these words. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison. 
'And Rebecca said unto Jacob, Go now to the flock, and fetch 
me two good kids, and I will make them savory meat for thy 
father, such as he loveth. Thou shalt bring it to thy father 
that he may eat, so that he may bless thee before his death. 
"But Jacob said to Rebecca his mother, Behold, Esau my 
brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man ; my father 
peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a de- 
ceiver. And his mother said unto him, Only obey my voice and 
go fetch me them. And he went, and fetched, and brought 
them to his mother. ^^His mother now made savory meat, such 
as his father loved, and took the goodly raiment of Esau, which 
were with her in the house and put them upon Jacob. But the 
skins of the kids she put upon his hands, and upon the smooth 
of his neck, and gave the savory meat into Jacob's hands. And 
he came unto his father and said, My father : and he said. Here 
I am ; who art thou, my son ? And Jacob said unto his father, 
I am Esau ; I have done according as thou badest me : arise, set 
and eat of my venison. And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near 
that I may feel thee my son. ^'And Jacob went near unto 
Isaac his father; and when he felt him, he said, The voice is 
Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. And he 
discerned him not ; and he did eat and drink. ^^Thereupon he 
blessed him and said, God give thee plenty of corn and wine. 
Let peoples serve thee ; be a lord over thy brethren. 

Now when Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and 
Jacob was yet scarce gone out from his presence, Esau came 
in from his hunting. He also made savory meat and brought 



36 ^ JACOB AND ESAU. B. C. 1833. 

it unto his father and said unto him, Let my father arise and 
eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me. And his 
father said unto him, Who art thou? x\nd he said, I am thy 
son, thy firstborn Esau. "And Isaac trembled very exceedingly 
and said, Who? \\'here then is he that hath himted venison, 
and brought it me, and I have eaten of all, before thou camest, 
and have blessed him? yea and he shall be blessed. When 
Esau heard this, he cried an exceeding great and bitter cry, 
and said, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? and lifted up 
his voice and wept. And Isaac said. Behold, of the fatness of 
the earth shall be thy dwelling: by thy sword shalt thou live, 
and shalt serve thy brother. "'And Esau hated Jacob because 
of the blessing and said in his heart. The days of mourning for 
my father are at hand ; for I will slay my brother Jacob. ^^And 
Rebecca said, Jacob, arise, flee thou to Laban my brother, and 
tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away 
from thee. "And Isaac blessed him and said, God Almighty 
bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and give 
thee the blessing of Abraham. And Isaac sent away Jacob, 
and he went to Padanaram (Mesopotamia) unto Laban. 

^What did the Lord say unto Eebeeca? 
^ \Yhat names were given to the two sons ? 

* What did Esau become ? 

* What kind of man was Jacob, and what did he do ? 

■^ Which one was Isaac's, and which one Rebecca's favorite? 

' What trade did the brothers make ? 

^ What else is related of Esau ? 

•When Isaac had grown old, what did he say to Esau? 

* What did Rebecca then do ? 
"What was Jacob's reply? 

^^ How did Rebecca help Jacob over his scruples ? 

" What did Isaac say when Jacob came to him ? 

^^ What blessing did Isaac give Jacob? 

"What did Isaac say when Esau asked him for a blessing? 

^° What did Esau do, when he saw that he was deceived? 

^® How did Rebecca set at naught the threats of Esau? 

" How did Isaac send away Jacob ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. To exchange spiritual gifts for temporal pleasures discloses 
a low mind. The firstborn had great privileges. 

2. Hurtful results will follow if parents give unseemly pref- 
erence to one child above another. Isaac knew that the elder was to 
serve the younger, and yet he preferred Esau to Jacob. 



B.C, 1793. JACOB FLEES TO PADANARAM (MESOPOTAMIA). 37 

3. Rebecca was on God's side; yet her impatient attempt to 
hasten His plans by means of cunning and fraud was displeasing in 
His sight. Punishment did not fail to come. The brothers were 
estranged from each other, Jacob became a fugitive and Rebecca never 
saw her favorite again. 



Lord, shower upon us from above 
The sacred gift of mutual love; 
Each other's wants may we supply, 
And reign together in the sky. 



13. JACOB FLEES TO PADANARAM (MESOPO- 
TAMIA). 

Genesis 28, '29. 

^Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 
and lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, 
because the sun was set. And he took a stone and put it under 
his head, and lay down to sleep. 'And he dreamed. And be- 
hold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to 
heaven, and the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 
And the Lord stood above it, and said, T am the Lord the God 
of Abraham thy father and the God of Isaac. |^^ The land 
whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and 
thy seed shall he as the dust of the earth, and in thee and in thy 
seed shall all the families of the earth he hlessed. And, behold, 
I am with thee, and will keep thee zvhithersoever thou goest, 
and will bring thee again into this land. *And when Jacob 
awoke out of his sleep he said, Surely the Lord is in this place ; 
and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said. How dreadful 
is this place ! this is none other but the house of God, and this is 
the gate of heaven. ^And Jacob rose up early in the morning 
and set up the stone for a pillar, and poured oil upon the 
top of it, and called the name of that place Bethel. And Jacob 
made a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me 
in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment 
to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, 
then shall the Lord be my God. 

Then Jacob lifted up his feet, and came to the land In the 
east ; "and behold, there was a well in the field, and three flocks 
of sheep lying there by it, and the stone upon the well's mouth 
was great. And they rolled the stone from the well's mouth. 



38 JACOB FLEES TO PAD AN ARAM (MESOPATAMIA.) B. C. 1 793. 

And Jacob said, My brethren, whence be ye ? They answered, 
Of Haran are we. ^And he said. Know ye Laban, the son of 
Nahor ? And they said, We know him ; behold, Rachel his 
daughter cometh with the sheep. ^When Jacob saw Rachel, 
and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, he went near and 
rolled the stone away from the well's mouth, and watered the 
flock of Laban, and kissed Rachel, and wept, and told her that 
he was her father's brother, and Rebecca's son. And she ran 
and told her father. 'When Laban heard the tidings of Jacob 
his sister's son, he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and 
kissed him, and brought him to his house. 

^ Where did Jacob go when he left Beersheba? 

^ What did he see at night in his dream ? 

' What promise did the Lord give him ? 

* What did Jacob say when he awoke? 

■^ What did he do and what did he vow ? 

"Where did Jacob come when he journeyed farther east? 

Tor whom did he inquire of the shepherds of Haran? 

® What did Jacob do when he met Rachel ? 

" What did Laban do when he heard of his sister's son ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. God shows his elect renewed grace, if they repent of their 
wrongs j He will never repent of His purpose. 

2. There is no place where God is not present; but only he w^ho 
fears Him knows it and experiences it. Jacob knew it not, because 
he had not yet become a spiritual man. 

3. It is a beautiful custom for relatives to greet and entertain 
one another gladly. 



Though like a wanderer, 

The sun gone down. 
Darkness be over me, 
. My rest a stone; 
Yet in my dreams I'd be 

Nearer, my God, to Thee, 
Nearer to Thee. 
Then, with my waking thoughts 

Bright with Thy praise. 
Out of my stony griefs 

Bethel I'll raise; 
So by my woes to be 

Nearer, my God, to Thee, 
Nearer to Thee! 



B. C, 1793. JACOB AND LABAN. 39 

14. JACOB AND LABAN. 

Genesis 29-31. 

When Jacob had tarried with Laban for a month, Laban 
said, 'Shouldest thou serve me for nought? Tell me, what 
shall thy wages be? Now Laban had two daughters : the name 
of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 
Leah's eyes were tender ; but Rachel was beautiful and well 
favored. And Jacob said, T will serve thee seven years for 
Rachel. And Jacob served seven years for Rachel ; and they 
seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had to her. ^Now 
when the seven years had passed, Laban gave him Leah instead 
of Rachel. And Jacob said, 'Wherefore hast thou beguiled me? 
Laban answered, ^It is not so done in our country, to give the 
younger before the firstborn. I wrll give thee the other also, 
for the service which thou shalt serve me with yet seven other 
years. Jacob did so. Then Laban gave him Rachel to wife. 

Now Jacob had twelve sons, "Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, 
Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benja- 
min. And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wives and my 
children, that I may go unto mine own country. Xaban said 
unto him, I have divined, that the Lord hath blessed me for thy 
sake. Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. And Jacob 
asked Laban for the spotted and speckled sheep, and goats, and 
all that should be speckled and spotted. And Laban said. Let 
it be according to thy word. ^And God blessed Jacob that he 
increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, maidservants, and 
menservants, and camels, and asses. 

And the Lord said unto Jacob, ^Return unto the land of thy 
fathers, and I will be with thee. And Jacob sent and called 
Rachel and Leah to the field and said unto them, ^"I see your 
father's countenance, that it is not toward me as beforetime; 
and ye know that with all my power I have served your father ; 
and he hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times. 
But God suffered him not to hurt me. And Rachel and Leah 
answered and said, "Whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do. 
Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels 
and carried away all his substance, for to go to Isaac his father 
unto the land of Canaan. 

It was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. 
And he pursued after him and overtook him in the mountain of 
Gilead. ^''But God said unto Laban in a dream. Take heed to 



40 JACOB AND LAB AN. B. C. 1793. 

thyself that thou speak not to Jacob from good to bad. And 
Laban came up with Jacob and said, Wherefore didst thou flee 
secretly, and hast not suffered me to kiss my daughters? It 
is in my power to do you hurt ; but the God of your father 
spake unto me, saying, Take heed to thyself that thou speak 
not to Jacob from good to bad. "And Jacob and Laban made a 
covenant with each other. And in the morning Laban rose up 
and kissed his sons and daughters, and blessed them, and de- 
parted, and returned unto his place. "And Jacob went his way, 
and the angels of God met him. When he saw them he said, 
This is God's host : and called the name of that place Maha- 
naim. 

^ What did Laban say to Jacob about his service? 

'^ What was Jacob's reply? 

•What did Laban do when the seven years had passed? 

* What did Jacob say to Laban? 

* How did Laban try to excuse himself ? 

® Repeat the names of the twelve sons of Jacob. 
'^ How were Jacob's wages fixed later ? 
'What is mentioned of Jacob especially? 

* What did the Lord now say unto him ? 

^'^ Of what did Jacob complain to Rachel and Leah? 

"What was their reply? 

^ What did God say unto Laban, when he pursued Jacob ? 

" How did they separate from each other ? 

" Who met Jacob on the way ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Punishment comes according to one's sin. Jacob cheated 
his brother out of the paternal blessing; Laban beguiled Jacob when 
he had served for Rachel. 

2. Treating servants enviously and selfishly will bring no bless- 
ing, and is a great sin. Laban sought continually to pinch off a part 
of Jacobs' wages. 

3. Faithful services rendered also to querulous people will receive 
a greater reward. Jacob was blessed bountifully for his hard service 
in Laban's house. 



Give me a sober mind, 

A quick discerning eye 
The first approach of sin to find 

And all occasions fly. 
Still may I cleave to Thee, 

And nevermore depart, 
But watch with godly jealousy, 

Over my evil heart. 



B. C. 1773. JACOB'S WRESTLING. 41 

15. JACOB'S WRESTLING. 

Genesis 32, 33, 35. 

Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brothei unto 
the land of Seir, to say unto him, 'Let me find grace in thy 
sight. And the messengers returned, saying, ''We came to thy 
brother Esau, and he comcth to meet thee, and four hundred 
men with him. ^Then Jacob was greatly afraid and said, O 
Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, I am not 
worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which 
Thou hast showed unto me ; deliver me, I pray Thee, from the 
hand of my brother. *And Jacob chose presents from his flocks 
and sent them before him to Esau. And he rose up that night, 
and passed over the ford of Jabbok, and sent over the stream 
that he had, and remained alone. ^And there wrestled a man 
with him until the breaking of the day. And the hollow of 
Jacob's thigh was strained, as he wrestled with him. *And the 
man said. Let me go, for the day breaketh. ^But Jacob said, 
I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. The man said, 
What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. *And he said, Thy 
name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel. For thou hast 
striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And he 
blessed him there. And Jacob called the place Peniel, that is 
the face of God ; for, said he, I have seen God face to face, and 
my life is preserved. And the sun rose upon him as he passed 
over Penuel, and he halted upon his thigh. 

'Jacob lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Esau come 
with four hundred men. And he divided the children unto 
Leah, and unto Rachel, and he himself passed over before them 
and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came 
near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced 
him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him : and they wept. 
And Esau said. Who are these? And he said, The children 
which God hath given thy servant. And Leah and Rachel, and 
the children, bowed themselves. 

"And Esau said. Let us take our journey, and I will go 
before thee. And he said, "Let my lord pass over before his 
servant: and I will lead on softly, for I have tender children, 
and cattle which give suck. Esau said, Let me now leave with 
thee some of the folk that are with me. Jacob answered. What 
needeth it ? let me find grace in the sight of my lord. ^^So Esau 
returned that day on his way unto Seir; but Jacob came to 



42 JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. B. C. 1725. 

Salem. And Jacob came unto Isaac his father to Mamre. 
^^And was an hundred and four score years old and gave up the 
ghost and died, old and full of days : and his sons Esau and 
Jacob buried him. 

^ What message did Jacob send to his brother Esau? 

* What report did the messengers bring to Jacob ? 

^ How did Jacob pray in his anxiety ? 

*How did Jacob try to win his brother? 

^ Who met Jacob at the ford of Jabbok ? 

® What did the man say to him? 

^ What was Jacob's reply? 

® What new name did .Jacob receive on account of this ? 

® How was the meeting of the two brothers? 

1° What did Esau offer to do ? 

"What did Jacob say? 

" Where did they now go ? * 

"How old was Isaac when he died? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. Jacob's wrestling was a wrestling of repentance. He became 
a new man, and, as such, he received a new name. Formerly his. 
name was Jacob, supplanter; now it is Israel, soldier of God. 

2. The remembrance of sins committed makes afraid and faint 
hearted yet a long while thereafter. Jacob feared greatly when he 
was about to meet his offended brother. 

3. A soft answer turneth away wrath. Jacob humiliated him- 
self and acted friendly towards Esau and thereby subdued him, 

4. A reconcilable, peaceable heart is evidence of an upright and 
god fearing man. Forgive, and you will be forgiven (Matt. 6: 14, 15)^ 



While Thou, O my God, art my Help and Defender, 

No cares can o'erwhelm me, no terrors appall; 
The wiles and the snares of this world will but render 

More lively my hope in my God and my all. 
Yes, Thou art my Refuge in sorrow and danger; 

My Strength, when I suffer; my Hope when I fall; 
My comfort and joy in this land of the stranger; 

My Treasure, my glory, my God and my all. 



i6. JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. 

Genesis 37. 

^Joseph, Jacob's son, being seventeen years old, was feed- 
ing the flock with his brethren : and brought the evil report of 
them unto their father. Now Jacob loved Joseph more than all 



B.C. 1725. JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. 43. 

his children, because he was the son of his old age : ^and he made 
him a coat of many colors. ^And when his brethren saw that 
their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, 
and could not speak peaceably unto him. "'Furthermore, Joseph 
once had a dream, and said unto his brethren. Hear, I pray you, 
this dream which I have dreamed. It seemed to me we were 
binding sheaves in the field ; my sheaf arose, and also stood up- 
right, and your sheaves made obeisance to my sheaf. 'And 
his brethren said to him, Shalt thou become our king and have 
dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more. And 
he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brethren, and 
said, Behold, I have dreamed yet a dream. It seemed to me 
the sun and the moon and eleven stars made obeisance to mc. 
'And when this was told to his father, his father rebuked him, 
and said unto him, What manner of dream is this? Shall I 
and thy mother and thy brethren come to bow down to thee? 
And his brethren envied him. But his father kept the saying 
in mind. 

Joseph's brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shc- 
chem. And Jacob said unto Joseph, ^Go, see whether it be well 
with thy brethren, and well with the flock ; and bring me word 
again. And a certain man found him wandering in the field : 
and the man asked him, What seekest thou? He answered, I 
seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they are feeding 
the flock. And the man said, They are departed hence ; for I 
heard them say. Let us go to Dothan. When they saw him afar 
off, they said one to another, Behold this dreamer cometh. Come 
now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into a pit and 
say. An evil beast hath devoured him : and we shall see what 
will become of his dreams. ^When Reuben heard, he desired 
to deliver him out of their hand, and said, Shed no blood, but 
cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness. He desired to 
deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father. 
^°When now Joseph was come unto his brethren they stripped 
him of his coat of many colors, and cast him into the pit ; but 
there was no water in it. 

And they sat down to eat. "And they lifted up their eyes 
and beheld a company of Ishmaelites coming with their camels, 
bearing spicery and balm down to Egypt. ''And Judah said 
unto his brethren. What profit is it if we slay our brother? 
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our 



44 JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. B. C. 1725, 

hand be upon him ; for he is our brother, and they hearkened 
unto him. They drew Joseph out of the pit, and sold him for 
twenty pieces of silver. Xow when Reuben returned unto the 
pit and Joseph was not in the pit, he rent his clothes, and re- 
turned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not ; and I, 
whither shall I go? "'Then they killed a he goat, and dipped 
the coat in the blood, and sent it to their father and said, This 
have we found; see whether it be thy son's coat or not. And 
he knew it, and said, "It is my son's coat ; an evil beast hath 
devoured him ; Joseph is without doubt torn in pieces. And 
mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his 
daughters rose up to comfort him ; but he refused to be com- 
forted, and said, I will go down to the grave to mv son mourn- 
ing. """Joseph was brought down into Egypt, and Potiphar, 
Pharaoh's captain of the guard, bought him of the Ishmaelites. 
"And the Lord was with Joseph, for the Lord made all that he 
did to prosper in his hand. So Potiphar made him overseer 
over his house. From that time the Lord blessed the Egyp- 
tian's house for Joseph's sake : and the blessing of the Lord 
was upon all that he had in the house and in the field. He 
therefore left all that he had in Joseph's hand ; and because he 
had him he knew not aught that was with him, save that he ate 
and drank. 

^ ^Yhat did the seventeen year old Joseph do? 

^How did his father distinguish him? 

^ Why did his brethren become his enemies? 

*What made them enrj him still more? 

"* ^Yhat other dream did Joseph relate to his brethren? 

' What did his father say when he heard of it ? 

MYhy did Jacob send Joseph to Shechem? 

* What did his brethren say when they saw him come? 

®"\Miat was Reuben's advice? 

"What did they do with Joseph? 

^^ "NMiom did they see when they lifted up their eyes ? 

" What did Judah say to his brethren ? 

" What false report did they send to their father ? 

^^What did Jacob say when he saw his son's coat? 

" Where did the merchants take Joseph ? 

" How did Joseph fare in Egypt at first ? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. If one has advantages, has received uncommon gifts, let him 
be careful, lest he arouse the enxj of others. 

2. To have done a great wrong is bad enough, but to add hy- 
pocrisy and imtruth makes the wrong doubly evil. 



B. C. 1V14. JOSEPH IN PRISON. 45 

3. Poor Jacob! Once he had deceived his blind father, and now 
he himself is deceived most shamefully. Bear in mind, your children 
will treat you like you treated your parents. 



Are we weak and heavy laden, 
Cumbered with a load of care? 

Precious Saviour, still our refuge — 
Take it to the Lord in prayer. 

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee. 
Take it to the Lord in prayer; 

In His arms He'll take and shield thee, 
Thou wilt find a solace there. 



17. JOSEPH IN PRISON. 

Genesis 39, 40. 

^Joseph was comely and well favored, and it came to pass, 
that his master's wife cast her eyes upon him and loved him and 
tried to lead him astray. 'But he refused and said unto her, 
How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? ^It 
came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to 
do his work ; and there was none of the men of the house there 
within. And she caught him by his garment, so that he should 
remain with her. But he left his garment in her hand and fled 
and ran out of the house. She then called unto the men of her 
house, and spake unto them, Behold, Potiphar hath brought in 
an Hebrew unto us to mock us. And she laid up his garment 
by her, until her master came home ; and she spake to him the 
same words. *When his master heard the words of his wife, 
he became very wroth, and took Joseph and put him into 
prison ; and they forced his feet into fetters : his body was laid 
in iron (Ps. 105 : 18). ^But the Lord was with Joseph and gave 
him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison, that he com- 
mitted to his hand all the prisoners. And that which Joseph 
did, the Lord made it to prosper. 

*And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of 
the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord the king. 
And Pharaoh was wroth and put them into the prison, where 
Joseph was bound. And the butler and the baker both dreamed 
a dream in one night, each man his dream. 'When Joseph 
came in unto them in the morning and saw that they were sad, 
he asked them and said, Wherefore look ye so sadly? They 



46 JOSEPH IN PRISON. B. C. 1714. 

answered, We have dreamed a dream, and there is none that 
can interpret it. Joseph said unto them. Do not interpretation 
belong to God.' tell it me, I pray you. Then the butler told 
his dream : 'In my dream, behold, a vine was before me, which 
had three branches : and it was as though it budded, grew and 
blossomed and brought forth ripe grapes ; and Pharaoh's cup 
was in my hand : and I took the grapes, and pressed them into 
the cup and gave it into Pharaoh's hand. ^Joseph said unto 
him, The three branches are three days. Within yet three days 
shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thine 
office : and thou shalt give his cup into his hand, after the for- 
mer manner. ^"But think on me when it shall be well with thee, 
and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of 
this house. For indeed I was stolen away secretly out of the 
land of the Hebrews ; and I have done nothing that they should 
put me into the dungeon. 

When the baker saw that the interpretation was good, he 
said, ^^I also was in mv dream, and had three white baskets on 
my head : and in the uppermost basket all manner of bakemeats 
for Pharaoh ; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon 
my head. ^'Joseph answered and said. Three baskets are three 
days ; within yet three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head, and 
shall hang thee on a tree ; and the birds shall eat thy flesh. 
"And this came to pass. Pharaoh restored the butler to his 
butlership ; but he hanged the baker, as Joseph had interpreted. 
"Yet the butler did not remember Joseph, but forgat him. 

*What had Potiphar's wife attempted to do? 
^How did he reject her sinful proposal? 
^What did Potiphar's wife do out of revenge? 

*How did Potiphar treat Joseph when he heard the false accu- 
sation of his wife? 
■^How did Joseph fare in prison? 

* What royal officers were with him in prison ? 

* Why were they so sad one morning when Joseph came in unto 

them ? 

* What was the butler's dream ? 
'How Did Joseph interpret it? 

" What did he ask of the butler ? 

" Relate the baker's dream. 

"How was it proven that Joseph's interpretation was correct? 

"How did the butler reward Joseph's service? 



B. C. 1712. JOSEPH'S ELEVATION. 47 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. The righteous must suffer much; but he is patient in ad- 
versity, thankful in prosperity and in all things which may hereafter 
befall him, he places his firm trust in God in whose omnipotent prov- 
idence he firmly believes. 

2. Shameful woman! Because Joseph wished to do no wrong 
nor sin against God, she avenges herself terribly upon the innocent 
one. God's ways, however, lead downward, at first, but upward there- 
after. Through the prison to the throne; from the cross to the 
crown. 

3. The world's reward is ingratitude. It w^as always thus. The 
ungrateful butler, after his restoration, forgot Joseph; but God did 
not forget him. Forgotten benefactor, remember this! 



Though troubles assail, and dangers affright, 
Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite, 
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide, 
The promise assures us, " The Lord will provide." 



i8. JOSEPH'S ELEVATION. 

Genesis 41. 

*At the end of two years, Pharaoh dreamed how he stood 
by the river and saw seven well favored and fatfleshed kine 
come up out of the river ; and they fed in the reed-grass. 
After these, he saw seven other kine come up out of the river 
which were ill favored and leanfleshed, and they stood by the 
other kine on the brink ; and the ill favored and leanfleshed kine 
did eat up the seven well favored and fat kine. So Pharaoh 
awoke. And he slept and dreamed a second time and saw 
seven ears of corn come up upon one stalk rank and good. 
After these, he saw seven thin and blasted ears spring up. 
And the seven thin ears swallowed up the seven rank and full 
ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream. ^In 
the morning his spirit was troubled ; and he sent and called for 
all the magicians and wise men of Egypt, and told them his 
dreams ; but there was none that could interpret them. 'Then 
spake the chief butler, saying, I do remember my faults this 
day. When Pharaoh was wroth with his servants and put me 
and the chief baker into prison, we both dreamed a dream in 
one night. And there was with us there a young man, an He- 
brew, and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams. 



48 JOSEPH'S ELEVATION. B. C. 1712. 

And it came to pass as he interpreted ; for I am restored to my 
office and he was hanged. 'Then Pharaoh sent and called Jo- 
seph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. And 
he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto 
Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto him, ^I have dreamed a 
dream, and tliere is none that can interpret it : and I have heard 
say of thee, that when thou hearest a dream thou canst inter- 
pret it. "Joseph answered, It is not in me : God shall give Pha- 
raoh an answer of peace. And Pharaoh told his dreams. 

^Joseph answered, The dream of Pharaoh is one : what God 
is about to do He hath declared unto Pharaoh. Behold, seven 
years of great plenty will come throughout the land of Egypt, 
and there shall arise after them seven years of famine. That 
the dream was doubled twice unto Pharaoh, it is because God 
will surely and shortly bring it to pass. ^Now therefore let 
Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the 
land of Egypt and take up the fifth part in Egypt in the seven 
plenteous years ; and let them gather all the food of these good 
years, and lay up corn in storehouses, for a store against the 
seven years of famine. 'These words pleased Pharaoh and all 
his servants. And he said, Can we find such a one as this, a 
man in whom the spirit of God is? And said. Forasmuch as 
God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and 
wise as thou. Thou shalt be over rny house, and according to 
thy word shall all my people be ruled : only in the throne will 
I be greater than thou. ^"And he took of¥ his signet ring from 
his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand and arrayed him in 
vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck, and 
made him to ride in the second chariot ; and they cried out be- 
fore him. Bow the knee. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, 
Without thee shall no man lift up his hand or his foot in all the 
land of Egypt. 

And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before 
Pharaoh. "In the seven plenteous years the earth brought 
forth by handfuls, and Joseph laid up corn as the sand of the 
sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without 
number. 'When the seven years of plenty came to an end, the 
seven years of famine began to come : and there was famine in 
all lands. But in Eg}^pt there was bread, for Joseph opened 
all the storehouses and sold unto the Egyptians ; for the famine 
was sore in the land. "And all countries came into Egypt to 



B. C. 1705. THE FAMINE. 49 

Joseph to buy corn, because the famine was sore in all the 
earth. 

^ Later on, what dreams did Pharaoh have ? 
^ Who could not interpret Pharaoh's dreams ? 

* What did the butler relate to the king ? 

* What did Pharaoh do then ? 

* What did Pharaoh say to Joseph ? 

* What was his reply ? 

^ How did Joseph interpret the king's dreams ? 
®What advice did Joseph then give? 

* What did the king then say ? 

" What presents did he give to Joseph ? 
"What did Joseph do during the seven years of plenty? 
^ What came when the years of plenty were ended ? 
*^To whose benefit was the plenty in Egypt? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Let him who suffers wrong, commend his affairs unto the 
Lord and be patient; He is the very best and also the least expensive 
advocate (I Pet. 4: 19). 

2. -Never abuse the power granted you by avenging former in- 
juries. " Vengeance is mine," saith the Lord. Joseph became a great 
benefactor for those who had wronged him. 

3. Behold, how God can avenge! He elevates the foreign shep- 
herd's son to the throne of a prince. Observe, also, Joseph's humility 
in the change of his fortune, and how he does everything with God. 



Through all the changing scenes of life, 

In trouble and in joy, 
The praises of my God shall still 

My heart and tongue employ. 
Oh, make but trial of His love, 

Experience will aecide 
How blessed are they, and only they, 

Who in His truth confide. 



19. THE FAMINE. 

Genesis 42. 

^Now Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, and said 
unto his sons. Why do ye look one upon another? Get you 
down thither, and buy corn for us, that we may live, and not 
die. And Joseph's ten brethren went down. ""But Benjamin, 
Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with them; for he said, Lest 



60 THE FAMINE. B.C. ITOS. 

peradventure mischief befall him. Thus the sons of Israel 
came to buy corn. But Joseph was the governor over the land 
and sold corn to all the people. ^Now when his brethren came 
they bowed themselves before him. And he saw them and 
knew them, but made himself strange unto them and spake 
roughly with them, and said, Whence come ye? And they 
said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. But though he 
knew them, they knew not him. *And Joseph remembered the 
dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are 
come to see the nakedness of the land. ^They answered. Nay, 
my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. We are all 
one man's sons ; we are true men, thy servants are no spies. 
He said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land 
ye are come. And they said, We, thy servants, are twelve 
brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan ; and the 
youngest is this day with our father, and one is not. Joseph 
said to them. That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are 
spies. Ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest 
brother come hither. ^Send one of you, and let him fetch your 
brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words be proved, 
whether there be truth in your words or not. And he put them 
all together into ward three days. 

Joseph said unto them on the third day. This do, and live ; 
for I fear God : if ye be true men, let one of your brethren be 
bound in your prison : go ye, carry corn for the famine of your 
houses. Bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your 
word^ be verified, and ye shall not die. ^And they said one to 
another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that 
we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us, and we 
would not hear ; therefore is this distress come upon us. Reu- 
ben, answered them, saying, ^Spake I not unto you, saying. Do 
not sin against this child ; and ye would not hear ? therefore, 
also, behold, his blood is required. But they knew not that 
Joseph understood them, for he spake unto them by an inter- 
preter. And he turned himself about from them, and wept. 
%Vhen he returned to them, he took Simeon from among them 
and bound him before their eyes. "Then Joseph commanded 
to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money 
into his sack, and to give them provisions for the way. And 
they laded their asses with their corn, and departed thence. 
And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender 



B.C. 1705. ^ THE FAMINE. 51 

in the lodging place, he espied his money, which was in the 
mouth of his sack. And he said unto his brethren. My money 
is restored ; and, lo, it is even in my sack. "Then their heart 
failed them, and they turned trembling one to another saying, 
What is this that God hath done unto us ? 

When they came home unto Jacob their father, they told 
him all that had befallen them. And when they emptied their 
sacks, every man's bundle of money was in his sack. And they 
and their father were afraid. '"And Jacob their father said 
unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children : Joseph is not, 
and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these 
things are against me. "And Reuben spake unto his father, 
saying. Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee : deliver 
him into mv hand, and I will bring him to thee again. And 
Jacob said. My son shall not go down with you ; for his brother 
is dead, and he only is left. If mischief befall him by the 
way, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to 
the grave. 

^ What did Jacob say unto his sons ? 

^ Why was Benjamin not permitted to go along? 

' What did Joseph's brethren do when they came to him ? 

* What did Joseph remember ? 

* What did his brethren say when he accused them of being spies ? 
*How did Joseph try his brethren? 

^ What did they say one to another ? 

^What did Reuben say? 

® Which one of them did Joseph keep back as a hostage ? 
^"What did Joseph command to be put into their corn sacks? 
^^ What happened, when they found their money in their sacks ? 
^^ What did their father say when they returned without Simeon ? 
^^ What did Reuben promise in behalf of Benjamin? 
^*What was his father's reply? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. With God nothing is impossible. Joseph's brethren now do 
voluntarily and unwittingly, what they had scorned as impossible; 
they fall upon their knees before him. 

2. Our conscience is indeed something remarkable; after a long, 
long time it will awake and say unto the wrong-doer, when trouble 
befalls him, You have brought this upon you there and there ! 

3. Never censure God's wise providence. His ways often seem 
to turn aside, and yet they are straight. Jacob complains. All these 
things are against me, and discerns not, that God intends to return to 
him his deeply lamented Joseph and to save his whole household. 



52 JOSEPH'S BRETHREN GO AGAIN TO EGYPT. B. C. 1703 

O gracious God, in whom I live, 

^ly feeble efforts aid; 
Help me to watch, and pray, and strive, 

Though trembling and afraid. 
keep me in Thy heavenly way, 

And bid the tempter flee! 
And let me never, never stray, 

From happiness and Thee. 



■O 



20. JOSEPH'S BRETHREN GO AGAIN TO EGYPT. 

Genesis 43. 

'The famine was sore in the land ; and when they had eaten 
up the corn which they had brought out of Eg}-pt, their father 
said unto them, Go again to buy us a Httle food. Then Judah 
spake unto him, "The man did solemnly protest unto us, say- 
ing, Ye shall not see my- face, except your brother be with you. 
Jacob said, %Vherefore did you tell the man whether ye had 3-et 
a brother ? *x\nd they said. The man asked straitly, saying. Is 
your father yet alive? have ye another brother? Could we in 
any wise know that he would say, Bring your brother down? 
Then Judah said unto his father, "Send the lad with me, and 
we will rise and go, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our 
little ones. I will be surety for him ; if I bring him not unto 
thee, then let me bear the blame for ever : for except we had 
lingered, surely we had now returned a second time. Then 
Israel said, Tf it must be so now, do this ; take of the choice 
fruits of the land, and carry down the man a present, balm and 
honey, nuts and almonds : and take double money with you, and 
the money that was returned in your sacks, carry again with 
you; peradventure it was an oversight. And God Almighty 
give you mercy before the man. If I be bereaved of m}' chil- 
dren, I am bereaved. 

They now rose up, and went down to Eg}-pt, and stood 
before Joseph. 'When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he 
said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house, 
and stay and make ready: for the men shall eat with me at 
noon. And the man brought them into Joseph's house. An^i 
they were afraid. But the steward said, Fear not. Then he 
brought Simeon out unto them, and gave them water, and they 
washed their feet ; and gave their asses provender. And they 



B.C. 1703. JOSEPHS BRETHREN GO AGAIN TO EGYPT. 53 

made ready the present. When Joseph came home, they 
brought him the present and bowed down to him. *And he 
asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father weU? Is 
he yet ahve? They said, "Our father is well, he is yet alive. 
And they bowed the head, and made obeisance. And he saw 
Benjamin his brother, and said, 'Ts this your youngest brother? 
God be gracious unto thee," my son. And Joseph made haste ; 
for his heart yearned for his brother : and he entered into his 
chamber; and wept there. ^^And when he had washed his face, 
he came out, and refrained himself, and said. Set on bread. 
And they were seated before him according to their age. And 
they marveled one with another. ''And he sent messes unto 
them; but Benjamin's mess was five times as much as any of 
their's. 

^ Why did Jacob command his sons to go to Egypt again? 

^ What did Jiidah say to this? 

^ What was Jacob's reply? 

* What did his sons then say ? 

^ What aid Judah say to his father? 

^ What was his father's reply ? 

^ How did Joseph receive them ? 

® About whom did he make inquiries? 

® What was their answer ? 

^° What did Joseph say to Benjamin when he saw him? 

"In what order were they placed when they dined? 

^- How was Benjamin distinguished? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The greater the transgression, the severer the rod. Joseph 
assumes harshness against his brethren, in order to learn whether they 
were better-minded toward one another, than they had been toward 
him. 

2. When self-will and self-love go against God's will, He sends 
His beadle, bitter distress, to break the self-will. The increasing famine 
compels Jacob to let Benjamin go along. 



While life's dark maze I tread, 
And griefs around me spread, 

Be thou my guide; 
Bid darkness turn to day. 
Wipe sorrow's tears away. 
Nor let me ever stray 

From Thee aside! 



54 JOSEPH MAKETH HIMSELF KNOWN. B. C. 1703. 

21. JOSEPH MAKETH HBISELF KNOWN TO HIS 

BRETHREN. 
Genesis 44, 45. 

^Joseph commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill 
the men's sacks, as much as they can carry, and put every man's 
money in his sack, 'and put my silver cup in the sack of the 
youngest, and his corn money. He did so, and as soon as the 
morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their 
asses. ''When they were gone out of the city, Joseph said unto 
his steward, Up, follow the men ; and when thou dost overtake 
them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for 
good? When he overtook them, he spake unto them these 
words. *And they said unto him, Behold, the money, which we 
found in our' sacks' mouths, we brought again : how then 
should we steal silver or gold? With w^homsoever the cup be 
found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen. 
And he said, He with whom it is found shall be my bondman. 
Then they took down every man his sack to the ground, and 
opened it. And he searched, and began at the eldest and left 
at the youngest: ''and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. 
Then they rent their clothes, and returned to the city. 

And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house ; for 
he was yet there : and they fell before him to the ground. 
^Joseph said unto them. What deed is this ye have done? 
^Judah said. What shall we say? God hath found out the in- 
iquity of thy servants : behold, we are my lord's bondmen. 
And Joseph said, ^God forbid that I should do so : the man in 
whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my bondman ; and as 
for you, get you up in peace unto your father. Then Judah 
said, ^O my lord, if I come to my father, and the lad be not 
with us, we shall bring down the gray hairs of our father with 
sorrow to the grave. For I became surety for the lad unto my 
father. Now therefore let me thy servant abide, a bondman 
to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brethren. 

"Then Joseph could not refrain himself, and he wept aloud, 
and said, I am Joseph. Doth mv father yet live? "And his 
brethren could not answer him, for they were so terrified. 
Then he said, '^Come near to me, I pray you ; I am Joseph your 
brother, whom ye sold into Eg}-pt. Think not that I am angry 
that ye sold me hither, for God did send me before you to save 



B. C. 1703. JOSEPH MAKETH HIMSELF KNOWN. 56 

your lives. There are yet five years, in the which there shall 
be neither plowing nor harvest. So now it was not you that 
sent me hither, but God. "Haste ye, and go up to my father,. 
Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt : 
come down unto me, tarry not, and I will nourish thee ; for 
there are yet five years of famine. Ye shall haste and bring 
down my father hither. ^*And he fell upon his brother Ben- 
jamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 
And Joseph kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them. 
After that his brethren talked with him. 

^ What command did Joseph give his steward? 
^ What did he have put in Benjamin's sack? 
'What did Joseph say to his steward later? 
*How did Joseph's brethren reply to this accusation? 
^ In whose sack was the cup found ? 

'What did Joseph say to his brethren in regard to the cup? 
'What was Judah's reply? 
'What did Joseph then say? 
® What was Judah's answer ? 
^*^What did Joseph then do and say? 
" How did this affect his brethren ? 
" What further remarks did Joseph make ? 
" What news were they to bring quickly unto their father ? 
"How did he show his love for his brethren? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Upon earth, joy and sorrow change about. How great will be 
the joy, when we meet those in a better world, whom we had mourned 
as lost. 

2. By his wise procedure Joseph had fully reached his object; he 
learned that his brethren would not let Benjamin become a bondman, 
as they had him. 

3. Children who faithfully nourish and cherish their parents, and 
do not treat them with contempt when they themselves have attained 
to high positions and honors, will be rewarded by God. (Eph. 6: 2, 3.) 



May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfill. 
To do on earth our Father's will, 

As angels do above: 
To walk in Christ the living way, 
With all Thy children, and obey 

The law of Christian love. 



56 JACOB GOETH INTO EGYPT. B. C. 1703. 

22. JACOB GOETH INTO EGYPT. 

Genesis 46-50. 

^Joseph gave his brethren wagons, according to the com- 
mandment of Pharaoh, and provision for the way, and to each 
man change of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hun- 
dred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment. And to iiis 
father he sent ten asses and she asses laden with corn and 
bread and victual : and he said unto them, 'See that ye fall not 
out by the way. And they came into the land of Canaan unto 
Jacob their father, and told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and 
he is ruler over all the land of Eg}-pt. 'And his heart fainted, 
for he believed them not. Then they told him all the words of 
Joseph, which he had said unto them ; and when he saw the 
wagons which Joseph had sent, the spirit of Jacob revived: and 
he said, *It is enough : Joseph my son is yet alive. I will go 
and see him. Israel took his journey with all that he had. 
And when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices unto the 
God of his father Isaac. 'And God spake unto him in the 
visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here 
am I. And God said, I am the God of thy father : fear not to 
go down into Eg}-pt : for I will there make of thee a great 
nation. 

And Jacob sent Judah before him unto Joseph. Then Jo- 
seph made ready his chariot, and went to meet his father. 
'And when he saw, he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a 
good while. And Israel said unto Joseph, 'Xow let me die, 
since I have seen thy face, that thou art yet alive. Joseph 
said, I will go up and tell Pharaoh. Then Joseph went in and 
told Pharaoh. 'And Pharaoh spake unto Joseph, saying. Thy 
father and thy brethren are come unto thee : the land of Egypt 
is before thee ; in the best of the land make them to dw^ell ; in 
the land of Goshen let them dwell : and if thou knowcst any 
able men among them, then make them rulers over my cattle. 
And Jacob blessed Pharaoh. °And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, 
How old art thou? And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days 
of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years : 
few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and 
they have not attained unto the days of the years of my fathers. 
And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence. 
"And Joseph placed his father and his brethren in the best land 



B. C. 1689. JACOB'S FAREWELL BLESSING. 57 

of Egypt. "And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen 
years; so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and 
seven years. 

^How did Joseph dismiss his brethren? 

-What admonition did he give them on their way? 

^ How did Jacob first receive the news from Joseph ? 

* What were his words, when he saw the wagons ? 

^ What did God say unto him when he offered a sacrifice? 

^ How did Joseph receive his father ? 

^ What did he say to Joseph ? 

^ What did Pharaoh say, when Joseph announced the arrival of 
his father? 

^ What question did Pharaoh ask Jacob, and what was his reply? 
"What else did Joseph do for his father and brethren? 
"How long did Jacob live in Egypt, in Goshen. 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Great tribulation is often followed by great joy. Jacob is now 
ready to die, since he had seen the face of Joseph once more and 
knows that he is ye. alive. Love is as strong as death. 

2. Never be ashamed of your descent, and never deny your par- 
ents before anyone. Though a prince of Egypt, Joseph does not hesi- 
tate a moment to present his father to the king and to acknowledge 
his family openly, which, in Egypt, was considered mean, because they 
were shepherds. (Gen. 46: 34.) 



He leadeth me! Oh, blessed thought! 
words with heavenly comfort fraught! 
Whate'er I do, wiiere'er I be, 
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me. 



-O- 



2z. JACOB'S FAREWELL BLESSING. 

Genesis 47-50. 

When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his 
son Joseph, and said unto him, 'Swear unto me, and deal kindly 
with me; bury me not in Egypt, but in my father's burying- 
place. And Joseph said, I will do so ; and he sware unto him. 
After these things one said to Joseph, Behold, thy father is 
sick. And he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Eph- 
raim. And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph 
cometh unto thee : and Israel strengthened himself and sat up 
in bed. And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are 



58 JACOB S FAREWELL BLESSING. B. C. 1689» 

these? Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom 
God hath given me. And Israel stretched out his hands, and 
said, 'God bless the lads and let them grow into a multitude 
upon the earth. And Israel said unto Joseph, 'Behold, I die : 
but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land 
of your fathers. 

And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, *Gather your- 
selves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you 
in the latter days. And he gave every one his blessing ; but 
above all he blessed Judah as God had ordered : ^^^Jtidah is a 
lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up. The 
sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from 
between his feet, until Shiloh come ; and unto him shall the 
obedience of the peoples be. And when Jacob had made an 
end, he yielded up the ghost. ^Then Joseph fell upon his 
father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. ^And Jo- 
seph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his 
father. And the Egyptians wept for him three score and ten 
days. ^Thereafter they went into the land of Canaan, and 
buried Jacob in the cave of Machpelah, before Mamre, which 
Abraham had bought for a buryingplace. 

^But Joseph's brethren were afraid, when their father was 
dead, and said. It may be that Joseph will hate us, will fully 
requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent 
a message unto him, saying. Thy father did command before 
he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray 
thee now, the transgression of thy brethren and their sin ; and 
now, we pray thee, forgive us our transgression. "And Joseph 
wept when they spake thus unto him, and said, Fear not : for 
am I in the place of God ? Ye meant evil against me ; but God 
meant it for good. And he comforted them, and spake kindly 
unto them. And Joseph said, 'T die : but God will bring you 
up out of this land unto the land which He sware to Abraham, 
to Isaac, and to Jacob. When God will visit you, ye shall carry 
up my bones from hence. And Joseph died, being an hundred 
and ten years old. 

^Wliat promise did Joseph have to give his father? 
2 What did Jacob say when he blessed Joseph's sons? 
MVhat did he say to Joseph? 

*Why did Jacob call his sons to his death-bed? 
'What blessing did God direct him to give to Judah? 
*What did Joseph do when Jacob had passed away? 



B. C. 1633. JOB. 59 

^ What command did he give his physicians ? 

• Where was Jacob buried ? 

• What message did Joseph's brethren send to him when Jacob 

had died? 
"How did Joseph quiet them? 
"What did he ask of his brethren? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Good and pious parents like to speak with their children of 
God's word and God's grace even on their death-bed, and leave them a 
blessing. 

2. Good and pious children try earnestly to fulfill the last wishes 
of their parents, sparing neither trouble nor expense. 

3. That Jacob and Joseph wished to be buried in the land of 
Canaan by the side of Abraham, Isaac, Sarah, and Rebecca, was a 
beautiful proof of their stedfast faith in the promises of God. (Gen.^ 
28: 13.) 



Let sorrow's rudest tempest blow. 

Each cord on earth to sever; 
Our King says, Come, and there's our home 

For ever, oh, for ever! 



24. JOB. 

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. 
^That man feared God, and eschewed evil. ^He had seven sons 
and three daughters, and his cattle was seven thousand sheep, 
and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and 
five hundred she asses : he had a very great household, and 
was the greatest of all the men of the east. And his sons held 
a feast, every one on his day, and called for their sisters to eat 
and drink with them. And when the days were gone about, 
Job rose up early, and offered burnt offerings according to the 
number of them all. ^For Job said. It may be that my sons 
have sinned. Now it came to pass, when the sons of God came 
to present themselves before the Lord, that Satan came also 
among them. The Lord said unto him, Whence comest thou? 
Then Satan said, From going to and fro in the earth. And the 
Lord said, *Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is 
none like him in the earth. Then Satan answered, "Doth Job 
fear God for nought? For Thou hast blessed him, and his sub- 



60 JOB. B. C. 1633 

stance Is increased. And the Lord said, ^Behold, all that he 
hath is in th}- hand, only upon himself put not forth thine hand. 
So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. 

'It fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eat- 
ing and drinking wine, that there came a messenger unto Job, 
and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside 
them: when the Sabeans (of Arabia) fell upon them and took 
them away ; they have slain the servants with the edge of the 
sword, and I only am escaped alone to tell thee, ^^llile he was 
yet speaking, there came also another, and said. The fire of 
God is fallen from heaven, and burned up the sheep, and the 
servants ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he 
was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chal- 
deans have taken away the camels and slain the servants with 
the edge of the sword ; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 
\Miile he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, 
Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking : and be- 
hold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote 
the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead. 
'Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and 
fell down upon the ground, and worshiped, and said, Xaked 
came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return 
thither : the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away : blessed 
be the name of the Lord. 

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to pre- 
sent themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among 
them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered 
mv servant Job ? for there is none like him in the earth, and he 
still holdeth fast his integrity. And Satan said. All that a man 
hath will he give for his life. But touch his bone and his flesh, 
and he will renounce Thee to Thy face. ^\nd the Lord said, 
Behold, he is in thine hand ; only spare his life. So Satan went 
forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore 
boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took a 
potsherd to scrape himself, and sat among the ashes. "Then 
said his wife unto him. Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? 
renounce God, and die. ^'But he said. Shall we receive good, 
and shall we not receive evil ? In all this did Job not sin. 

'"And Job's three friends. Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, 
came to comfort him. And they knew him not, and wept, and 
sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven 



B. C. 1633. JOB. 61 

nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his 
grief was very great. After this opened Job his mouth, and 
cursed his day, and said, Let the day perish wherein I was 
born. Then Ehphaz said. Behold, happy is the man whom 
God correcteth : therefore despise not thou the chastening of 
the Almighty. "Then Job answered and said. The arrows of 
the Almighty are within me. Ye overwhelm the fatherless. 
My cause is righteous. Then answered Bildad and said, Doth 
God pervert judgment? "Then Job answered and said. Of a 
truth I know that it is so : but how can man be just with God? 
If he be pleased to contend with Him, he cannot answer Him 
one of a thousand. Then answered Zophar and said. If thou 
set thine heart aright, and put iniquity far away, surely then 
shalt thou lift up thy face without spot, and not fear. Then 
Job answered and said, ^^How long will ye vex my soul, and 
break me in pieces with words? Know now that God hath 
subverted me. I know that m}^ Redeemer liveth. Now Elihu 
had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he, 
and he said, ^T have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am 
clean without transgression, I am innocent ; neither is there 
iniquity in me. Behold, in this thou art not just: I will an- 
swer thee, that God is greater than man. 

Then the Lord answered out of the whirlwind, and said, 
^'Who is that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 
Gird up now thy loins like a man ; for I will demand of thee, 
and declare thou unto me. Where wast thou when I laid the 
foundations of the earth ? declare, if thou hast understanding ; 
when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God 
shouted for joy? '^Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I 
know that Thou canst do all things and that no thought can be 
withholden from Thee. Therefore have I uttered that which 
I understood not ; things too wonderful for me, which I knew 
not. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. 
"And the Lord said to Eliphaz, My wrath is kindled against 
thee and thy two friends : for ye have not spoken the thing 
that is right, as my servant Job hath. ^"So the Lord blessed 
the latter end of Job more than his beginning : and he had four- 
teen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand 
yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven 
sons and three daughters. And after this Job lived an hundred 



€2 JOB. * B. C. 1633. 

and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, and died, 
being old and full of days. 

^ What high praise is given to Job in this story ? 

2 What is said of his household and wealth ? 

'Why did he offer burnt-offerings for everyone of his children? 

* What did the Lord say to Satan, the adversary ? 
^ What was his reply to the Lord ? 

^To what extent did God put Job into Satan's power? 
^ How did Job lose all his children and flocks ? 

* What did Job say when he had lost all ? 
' How did God try Job further ? 

^° What did Job's wife say to him ? 

" What was Job's reply ? 

^ Who came to Job, intending to comfort him ? 

^'How did Job complain? 

"What did he reply to Bildad's accusation? 

^^ How did he answer Zophar's charge ? 

^®How did Elihu accuse him? 

^^ What did God then say to Job ? 

^* What was his reply? 

^^ Give the Avords that God spoke to Job's friends. 

^° What followed Job's great trials ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Satan, the adversary of the children of God, knew nothing 
of which to accuse Job, except that he was serving God for the sake of 
temporal advantages. There is certainly such a danger (compare John 
6 : 26 ) ; but God knew better, and so permitted a trial. 

2. Outward troubles and tribulations are no reliable evidence, 
that a man is godless, and his sufferings are a well merited punish- 
ment from God. Therefore beware of unkind judging. 

8. If you trust in God you need not fear want. True faith says, 
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, 
and my portion for ever. (Ps. 76:26.) 

4. Though Job was a pious man, he was not without blame in the 
presence of altogether holy God. While defending his innocence against 
his miserable comforters, yet he is constrained in the end to repent in 
the dust and ashes. 

5. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (James 1: 12). 
After having passed well through his trials (for he held fast to his 
piety), Job was blessed more than before, that he had seven sons and 
three daughters, and numerous flocks, and lived yet one hundred and 
forty years. 



Should eai'th against my soul engage. 

And hellish darts be hurled, 
Then I can smile at Satan's rage, 



B. C. 1573-33. THE BIRTH OF MOSES AND HIS FLIGHT. 63 

And face a frowning world. 
Let cares like a wild deluge come. 

And storms of sorrow fall, 
May I but safely reach by home, 

My God, my heav'n, my all. 



25. THE BIRTH OF MOSES AND HIS FLIGHT. 

Exodus 1, 2. 

When Joseph had died, and all his brethren, the children 
of Israel increased abundantly. ^Now there arose a new king 
over Egypt, who knew not Joseph, and said, Behold, the chil- 
dren of Israel are more than we : come let us deal wisely with 
them ; lest it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, 
they also join themselves unto our enemies. Therefore they 
did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with hard service, 
in mortar, and in brick. But the more they afflicted them, the 
more they multiplied. ^And Pharaoh charged his people, say- 
ing. Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and 
every daughter ye shall save alive. 

And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to 
wife a daughter of Levi named Jochebed. ^And the woman 
bare a son : and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, 
she hid him three months. When she could not longer hide him, 
she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime 
and with pitch, and she put the child therein ; and laid it in the 
flags by the river's brink. And his sister stood afar off, to 
know what would be done to him. *And the daughter of Pha- 
raoh came down to bathe at the river ; and her maidens walked 
along by the river side. When she saw the ark among the 
flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And she opened it and 
saw the child : and behold, the babe wept. And she had com- 
passion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children. 
'Then said his sister who had watched the child near by. Shall 
I go and call thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may 
nurse the child for thee? And she said to her, Go. And she 
called her mother. And Pharaoh's daughter said, ^Take this 
child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy 
wages . ^And the child grew and she brought him unto Phara- 
oh's daughter, and he became her son, and called his name 
Moses : and said, because I drew him out of the water. 



64 THE BIRTH OF MOSES AND HIS FLIGHT. B C. 1573-33. 

^\nd Closes was instructed in all the wisdom of the Eg}'p- 
tians, and he was mighty in his words and works (Acts 'j\22), 
'But by faith he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's 
daughter : choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people 
of God. than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. (Heb. 
II :25 ) . "AMien ]\Ioses was forty years old. it came to his heart 
to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And he looked 
upon their burdens, and he saw an Eg}-ptian smiting one of his 
brethren. And he smote the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 
He supposed his brethren would have understood how that 
God* by his hand was giving them deliverance : but they under- 
stood not. (Acts 7 : 25.) ^^\nd he went out the second day, and, 
behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together : and he said 
to him that did the wrong. Wherefore smitest thou thv fellow? 
And he said, \Mio made thee a judge over us? thinkest thou to 
kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? And ]\Ioses feared, and 
said, surely the thing is known ! When Pharaoh heard this 
thing, he sought to slay ^vloses. But Closes fled from the face 
of- Pharaoh, ^'and dwelt in the land of Alidian — and sat 
down by a well. 

"Xow the priest of ]\Iidian had seven daughters : and they 
came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their 
father's flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away. 
But Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 
And when they came to Reuel their father, he said. How is it 
that ye came so soon today? And they said. An Egyptian 
drew water for us, and watered the flock. x\nd he said unto 
his daughters, Where is he? why is it that ye have left the 
man ? call him that he mav eat with us. And ]Moses was con- 
tent to dwell with the man; and he gave Closes Zipporah his 
daughter. "And the Lord gave ]^Ioses two sons, and he named 
them Gershom and Eliezer. 

^How did the children of Israel fare after the death of Joseph? 
MVhat was Pharaoh's command when they continued to multiply? 
^How did Jochebed tiy to save her little son? 
*How was the child saved from the river? 
° What did the child's sister say to the daughter of Pharaoh ? 
® What did Pharaoh's daughter say to the mother of the child? 
' What name did she give to tiie child, and why ? 
*How was Moses brought up. as the son of Pharaoh? 
® \Miat was Moses' choice when he reached manhood? 
^°What did Moses do when he visited his brethren? 
"\Miy did he flee from Egypt? 



B. C. 1493. THE CALL OF MOSES. 65 

^2 Where did he go? 

^^ How did he become acquainted with Reuel ? 

" How many sons did the Lord give him ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If God wishes to do something great, He often begins in a 
very small way, and lays His plans deep. A poor child consigned to 
death was appointed to become the saviour of His oppressed people. 

2. Never think, that nobody will see you, if you undertake to do 
wrong. How bitter was Moses' disappointment! 

3. It is deplorable, that when God wishes to help and save men 
by the hand of any one, they will not perceive it. 



Who points the clouds their course, 

Whom winds and seas obey; 
He shall direct thy wandering feet. 

He shall prepare thy way. 
Thou on the Lord rely, 

So safe thou shalt go on; 
Fix on His word thy steadfast eye, 

So shall thy work be done. 



26. THE CALL OF MOSES. 

Exodus 3, 4. 

^Moses wa§ keeping the flock of the priest of Midian, and 
tame to the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord ap- 
peared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. 
And he saw that the bush burned with fire, and was not con- 
sumed. When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God 
called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, 
Moses. And he said. Here am L And He said, Mraw not 
nigh hither : put off thy shoes, for the place whereon thou 
standest is holy ground. I am the God of thy father, the God 
of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 'And 
Moses hid his face ; for he was afraid to look upon God. And 
the Lord said, *I have seen the affliction of my people which are 
in Egypt, and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand 
of the Egyptians. Come now, therefore, and I will send thee 
unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people out of 
Egypt. Moses said, Who am I, that I should go- unto Pha- 
raoh ? And He said, I will be with thee. ^Thus shalt thou say 

5 



66 THE CALL OF MOSES. B. C. 1493. 

unto the people, I AM (Jehovah) hath sent me unto you. And 
this shall be the token unto thee, that I have sent thee : When 
thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve 
God upon this mountain. 

''But Moses said. Behold, they will not believe me. ^And 
the Lord said. What is that in thine hand? And he said, A 
rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. He did so, and it 
became a serpent ; and Moses fled from before it. But the 
Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand ; and take it by the 
tail. Moses did so, and it became a rod in his hand : that they 
may believe, that the Lord hath appeared unto thee. And the 
Lord said furthermore unto him. Put now thine hand into thy 
bosom. Moses did so, and when he took it out, behold his 
hand was leprous as white as snow. And He said, Put thine 
hand into thy bosom again. And behold, it was turned again 
as his other flesh. And the Lord said, If they will not believe 
these two signs, thou shalt take of the water of the river, and 
pour it upon the dry land, and it shall become blood. *And 
Moses said, O Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore 
nor since ; for I am of a slow tongue (speech). 

And the Lord said. Who hath made man's mouth ? or who 
maketh a man dumb, or deaf, is it not I, the Lord? 'Now 
therefore go ; I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what 
thou shalt speak. And JMoses said, '°0 Lord, send whom Thou 
wilt send. ^'And the anger of the Lord was kindled, and He 
said, Is there not Aaron thy brother? I know that he can 
speak well. And, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee. And 
he shall be thy spokesman unto the people. 

Moses returned to Jethro his father-in-law and took his 
wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and returned to 
Egypt, and took the rod of God in his hand. And the Lord 
said to Aaron, ^'Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And 
he went, and met him in the mountain of God, and kissed him. 
And Moses told Aaron everything, and they went and gathered 
together the elders of the children of Israel. And Aaron spake 
all the words which the Lord had spoken unto Moses, and 
Moses did the signs in the sight of the people. ^^A.nd the peo- 
ple believed, and bowed their heads and worshiped, because the 
Lord had seen their affliction. 

'■ Where and how did the Angel of the Lord appear unto Moses ? 
* What did the Lord say unto him, out of the burning bush ? 



B. C. 1493. MOSES GOES TO PHARAOH. 67 

'What did Moses do? 

* What else did God say unto him ? 

^ What was Moses to say unto his people ? 

* How did Moses try to excuse himself ? 

^ With what signs was Moses to prove his mission? 

* What further excuse did Moses make ? 
^ What more did the Lord promise him ? 

^'* What was Moses' reply ? 

" Who was to be Moses' spokesman ? 

"What command did the Lord give unto Aaron? 

"How did the people receive Aaron's message? 



APPLICATIONS. 

L The Lord Himself prepares His workers, and does so mostly in 
seclusion. Moses had to be at first a shepherd in Midian for forty 
years, and learn all the ways and by-ways there, before he led the 
children of Israel through the wilderness. 

2. Excuses will not be accepted where God and duty command, 
and especially so, if the excuses rest upon a false basis. When Moses 
was to appear before Pharaoh, it was not so much, his slowness of 
tongue that troubled him, as the Egyptian he had slain. (Ex. 2: 
11, 12.) 

3. Whenever the Lord calls anyone to an office He also gives him 
the necessary talents. " I will be with thy mouth, and will teach thee 
what thou shalt do." 



Thy way, not mine, Lord, 

However dark it be! 
Lead me by thine own hand; 

Choose out the path for me. 
I dare not choose my lot: 

I would not, if I might; 
Choose Thou for me, my God, 

So shall I walk aright. 



-O- 



27; MOSES GOES TO PHARAOH. 

Exodus 5-11. 

^Afterward Moses and Aaron came in, and said unto 
Pharaoh, Thus saith the God of Israel, Let my people go. 
'And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should hearken 
unto His voice? Get you unto your burdens. ^And Pharaoh 
said, Let heavier work be laid upon the men, that they may 
labor therein ; a«d let them not regard lying words. Then the 



68 MOSES GOES TO PHARAOH. B. C. 1493. 

taskmasters said unto the people, Pharaoh will not give you 
straw. Go yourselves, get you straw : yet nought qf your 
work shall be diminished. So the people were scattered abroad 
throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble. *And the 
taskmasters were urgent, saying, Fulfill your daily tasks, as 
when there was straw. And the officers of the children of Is- 
rael were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not ful- 
filled your task in making brick? 

But ]\Ioses besought the Lord. 'And the Lord said, Say 
unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord ; I will redeem you, 
and ye shall know, that I am the Lord. And Moses spake so 
unto the children of Israel ; but they hearkened not for an- 
guish of spirit and cruel bondage. And ]\Ioses and Aaron w^ent 
in unto Pharaoh. ^And Aaron cast down his rod before Pha- 
raoh, and his servants, and it became a serpent. "Then Pha- 
raoh called for the wise men and the sorcerers, Jannes and 
Jambres (2 Tim. 3: 8), and they also did in like manner; 
every man cast down his rod, and they became serpents : but 
Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. And Pharaoh's heart 
was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them. 

And the Lord said. Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning ; 
lo, he goeth out unto the water, and they did so. ^ ^) And Aaron 
lifted up the rod, and smote the water, and the waters were 
turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and 
the river stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink. And 
the magicians did in like manner; and the heart of Pharaoh 
was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them. ^) And the 
Lord let frogs go up and come into Pharaoh's house, into his 
bedchamber, and upon his bed, and the magicians did in like 
manner. Then Pharaoh called for ]\Ioses and Aaron, and said, 
Intreat the Lord for me, that He take away the frogs from us, 
and I will let the people go. And Moses cried unto the Lord, 
and the frogs died. But when Pharaoh saw that there was 
respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them. 
*) And the Lord let lice come upon man and upon beast. And 
the magicians could not do in like manner, and said, This is the 
finger of God ! But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he 
hearkened not unto them. *) And the Lord sent swarms of 
flies upon Pharaoh and upon his servants, and upon his people, 
and into his house ; all the houses were full, but in the land of 
Goshen there were no swarms of flies. 



B. C. 1493. MOSES GOES TO PHARAOH. 69 

And Pharaoh said I will let you go ; only, intreat for me. 

And Moses intreated the Lord, and the swarms of flies de- 
parted. But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and 
did not let them go. ^) And the Lord sent a murrain upon all 
the cattle ; but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not 
one. '') And the Lord let boils with blains break forth upon 
man, and upon beast ; and the magicians could not stand before 
Moses because of the boils. And the Lord hardened the heart 
of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them. ^)'And the Lord 
rained hail upon all the land; and the hail smote all that was 
in the field, both man and beast, and every herb of the field, and 
brake every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen was 
there no hail. And Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and 
said, I have sinned; intreat the Lord that there be no more 
mighty thunderings and hail, and I will let you go. And 
Moses intreated, and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain 
was not poured upon the earth. But Pharaoh sinned yet more, 
and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 

^) And the Lord brought locusts with an east wind, and 
they did eat everything. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and 
Aaron in haste, and said, I have sinned ; intreat the Lord that 
He may take away from me this death only. And Moses in- 
treated, and a west wind took up the locusts and cast them 
into the Red Sea, and there remained not one. But the Lord 
hardened Pharaoh's heart. ^) And the Lord let darkness come 
for three days, that they saw not one another, nor arose from 
their place ; but all the children of Israel had light in their 
dwellings. And Pharaoh called unto Moses and said. Go ye, 
and your little ones ; only let your herds be stayed. And Moses 
said. Our cattle also shall go with us, that we may have sacri- 
fices and burnt offerings. But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's 
heart, and he said, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see 
my face no more ; for in the day thou seest my face thou shalt 
die. And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy 
face again no more. ") And the Lord said unto Moses, Yet 
one plague more will I bring, afterwards he will let you go 
hence ; ^ ^°about midnight will I go out into the midst of 
Egypt, and all the firstborn shall die, from the firstborn of 
Pharaoh even unto the firstborn of the maidservant ; and all the 
firstborn of cattle. But against any of the children of Israel 
shall not a dog move his tongue, that ye may know how that 



70 THE EXODUS OUT OF EGYPT. B. C. 1493. 

the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and 
Israel. 

^ What did Moses and Aaron say unto Pharaoh ? 

^ What was his reply ? 

^ What did Pharaoh say unto his taskmasters ? 

*How did they treat the children of Israel? 

^ What did the Lord say unto Moses when he besought Him ? 

' What sign was done by Aaron in the presence of Pharaoh ? 

' What did Pharaoh do then ? 

®How many plagues did God send upon Egypt? 

^ What were the plagues ? 

^^ What was the last and by far the hardest plague ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Sorcerers and soothsayers are awkward imitators of God; 
but whenever anything is created free and springs into being they must 
confess, This is the linger of God, 

2. He who is often warned and yet continues to sin and remains 
in his impenitency, brings upon himself the judgment of obduracy. 

3. If the office and station in which God has placed you, tend to 
become difficult, then do as Moses did, beseech the Lord for help. 



Through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy, 
The praises of my God shall still my heart and tongue employ. 
Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then have nothing else to fear: 
Make you His service your delight, your wants shall be His care. 



-O- 



28. THE EXODUS OUT OF EGYPT. 

Exodus 12-15. 

The Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying, Tn the 
tenth day of the month of Abib every man shall take a lamb 
without blemish, a male of the first year ; and they shall keep 
it up until the fourteenth day of the same month, and shall 
kill it at even. ^And they shall take the blood and put it on the 
two sideposts and on the lintel of the houses, wherein they 
shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast 
with fire, and unleavened bread, and ye shall let nothing of it 
remain until morning. Ye shall have your loins girded, your 
shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand, as those in 
haste, for it is the Lord's passover. For I will go through the 
land of Egypt in that night and will smite all the firstborn, both 



B. 0. 1493. THE EXODUS OUT OF EGYPT. Tl 

man and beast. ^And the blood shall be to you for a token 
upon the houses where you are, that when I see the blood, I 
will pass over you, and the plague shall not destroy you, when 
I smite the land of Egypt. And ye shall keep this day a feast 
to the Lord throughout your generations. And when ye be 
come to the land which the Lord will give you, and your chil- 
dren shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? ye 
shall say, "It is the Lord's passover, who passed over the chil- 
dren of Israel, when He smote the firstborn of the Egyptians. 

^And at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn, from the 
firstborn of Pharaoh unto the firstborn of the captive, and all 
the firstborn of cattle. And there was a great cry, for there 
was not a house where there was not one dead. ^And Pharaoh 
said. Rise up, get you forth from among my people ; go serve 
the Lord. Take both your flocks and your herds, and be gone ; 
and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the 
people to send them out of the land in haste ; for they said, 
'We be all dead men. And the people took their dough before 
it was leavened, bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 
And they did according to the word of Moses, and asked of 
the Egyptians jewels of silver, and of gold, and raiment: and 
the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, 
so that they left them have what they asked. 

*Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to 
Succoth, six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside 
children and a mixed multitude, and flocks, and herds. And 
Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which, by 
strength of hand the Lord hath brought you out of this 
place. "And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him. And 
the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead 
them the way ; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them 
light, to go by day and by night. ^°And when it was told the 
king of Egypt that the people were fled, he said, What is this 
we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving? And 
he made ready his six hundred chariots, and pursued after 
them, and overtook them encamping by the sea. And when 
Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, 
and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them. And they 
were sore afraid. "Moses said unto the people, fear ye not, 
stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will 
work for you today. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall 



72 THE EXODUS OUT OF EGYPT. B. C. 1493. 

hold your peace. And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto 
the children of Israel, that they go forward. But lift thou up 
thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it, 
and the children of Israel shall go in. And, behold, the 
Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord. And the angel of God 
which went before the camp of Israel removed and went be- 
hind them, and came between the camp of the Egyptians and 
the camp of Israel, so that the one came not near the other all 
the night. "Now when Moses stretched forth his hand over the 
sea, the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind 
all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were 
divided ; and the children of Israel went into the midst of the 
sea upon the dr^- ground : and the waters were a wall unto 
them on their right hand, and on their left. And the 
Egyptians pursued and went in after them. 

In the morning watch the Lord looked upon the host of 
the Eg}'ptians through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and dis- 
comfited their host, and took off their chariot wheels and made 
them to drive heavily : so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee, 
for the Lord fighteth for Israel. ^'And the Lord said unto 
Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea; and the sea re- 
turned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the 
Egyptians fled against it. Thus the Lord overthrew them in 
the midst of the sea, and covered the chariots, and the horse- 
men, even all the host of Pharaoh ; there remained not so much 
as one of them. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of 
the hand of the Egyptians ; and they saw the Egyptians dead 
upon the sea shore. And the people feared the Lord, and they 
believed in Him, and in His servant Moses. 

"Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song : 
I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: 
The horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. 
The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation. 

^What command did the Lord give Moses and Aaron? 
^WHat was to be done with the blood of the lamb? 
^ Of what was this to be a token ? 

*How were they to begin the celebration of this day? 
^ What happened at midnight ? 

^What did Pharaoh say in regard to this great calamity? 
' Why did the Egyptians urge the people to go ? 
®How many people Avent out, and where did they go first? 
®What did Moses take along? 
^° What did Pharaoh do when the people had fled? 



B. C. 1493. ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS. 13 

" How did Moses encourage the frightened people ? 
^^ What miracle was performed at the Red Sea ? 
" What happened to Pharaoh's host ? 
" What did Moses and the children of Israel do then ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The liberation of the children of Israel out of Egyptian bond- 
age was a mighty deed of wonder wrought by God, and at the same 
time it was typical of our redemption from the bondage of sin. Moses 
himself was a prominent type of Christ. 

2. The Lord hath made His wonderful works to be remembered 
(Ps. Ill: 4). Tiie Jewish Easter-festival recalls to mind the sparing 
of the firstborn of Israel; the Christian Easter-festival reminds us of 
Christ's resurrection. 

3. Severe divine judgments may indeed break the power of the 
wicked, but are unable to renew their hearts (Prov, 2f : 22), 

4. He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall sud- 
denly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Prov. 29; 1.) 



The hosts of God encamp around 
The dwellings of the just; 

Deliv'rance He affords to all 
Who on His succor trust. 



29. ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS. 

Exodus 15-17. 

The children of Israel went three days in the wilderness 
and found no water. ^And when they came to Marah, they 
could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. 
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall 
we drink? ^And he cried unto the Lord; and He shewed him 
a tree, and he cast it into the waters, and the waters were made 
sweet. ^And they came to Elim, where were twelve springs 
of water and three score and ten palm trees. From Elim, they 
took their journey unto the wilderness of Sin. *And the chil- 
dren of Israel murmured and said, Would that we died in 
Egypt ; for ye have brought us forth into the wilderness to 
kill us with hunger. Then said the Lord unto Moses, I have 
heard the murmurings of the children of Israel. Say unto 
them, In the morning ye shall be filled with bread, and shall 
know that I am the Lord your God. 



74 ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS. B. C. 1493. 

''In the morning the dew lay round about the camp ; and 
when the dew was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilder- 
ness a small round thing, as the hoar frost on the ground, and 
the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. And when the 
children of Israel saw it, they said Manhu? that is, What is it? 
'Moses said unto them. It is the bread, which the Lord hath 
given you from heaven to eat. Gather ye of it every man 
according to his eating. And they did so, and gathered, some 
more, some less. And when they measured it, he that gath- 
ered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had 
no lack ; they gathered every man according to his eating. 
And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till morning. But 
some of them left of it, and it bred worms and stank. And 
it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as 
much bread. And Moses said. Bake and seethe, and all that 
remaineth over keep until the morning. This did not stink, 
neither was there any worm therein. Then Moses said, ^Today 
is the Sabbath unto the Lord; today ye shall not find it in the 
field. But some of the people went out on the seventh day for 
to gather, and they found none. And Moses said unto Aaron, 
Take a pot, and put an omerful of manna therein, to be kept for 
your generations. 

And Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, and 
pitched in Rephidim : and they had no water there. ^Where- 
fore they strove with jMoses and said. Give us water. And 
Moses said, Why strive ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt 
the Lord? But the people murmured. ^And Moses cried unto 
the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be 
almost ready to stone me. "And the Lord said. Thy rod, 
wherewith thou smotest the river, take into thine hand ; behold, 
I will stand before thee there upon the Rock in Horeb; and 
thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it. 
And Moses did so. "And he called the place Massah and 
Meribah (temptation and strife), because of the striving, and 
because the children of Israel had tempted the Lord, saying. 
Is the Lord among us, or not? 

Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel. And Moses 
said unto Joshua, ""'Choose out men, and go out, fight with 
Amalek : tomorrow I will stand upon the top of the hill with 
the rod of God in mine hand. Joshua did so, and fought with 
Amalek. But Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the top of 



B. C. 1493. THE GIVING OF THE LAW ON SINAI. 75 

the hill. And when Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed : 
but when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But 
Moses' hands were heavy ; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his 
hands. And his hands were steady until the going down of 
the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek. 

^ Why did the children of Israel murmur at Marah ? 

^ What did Moses do according to God's command? 

» What did they find at Elim ? 

* How did the people murmur in the wilderness of Sin? 

''What occurred on the next morning? 

® What did Moses say unto the people? 

' Why were they to gather twice as much on the sixth day? 

®Why did the people strive with Moses in Rephidim? 

^ How did JNIoses cry unto the Lord ? 
^^ How did the Lord give the people water ? 
" What name was given to the place ? 
^^ How were the Amalekites defeated ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. It requires much patience to deal with grumbling and dis-^ 
satisfied people. Moses was a very patient man. 

2. It is one of the bad traits of man, to forget God's benevolence 
so readily, and to lapse into grumbling and ingratitude. 

3. The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (Jas. 
5: 16.) Irsael gained a great victory through the united prayer of the 
three godly men. 



Often to Marah's brink 

Have I been brought; 
Shrinking the cup to drink, 

Help I have sought; 
And with the prayer's ascent 

Jesus the branch hath rent- 
Quickly relief hath sent, 

Sweetening the draught. 



30. THE GIVING OF THE LAW ON SINAI. 

Exodus 19, 20, 24. 

In the third month, after the children of Israel were gone 
forth out of Egypt, they came into the wilderness of Sinai ; and 
camped there before the mount. And Moses went up unto 
God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, sayings 



76 THE GIVING OF THE LAW ON SINAI. B. C. 1493. 

^Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob : Ye have seen 
what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' 
wings, and brought you unto myself. Xow therefore, if ye 
will obey my voice and keep my covenant, then ve shall be a 
peculiar treasure unto me from among all peoples : for all the 
earth is mine. And ]\Ioses came and called for the elders of 
the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord 
commanded him. 'And all the people answered together. All 
that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And ]\Ioses reported 
the words of the people unto the Lord. And the Lord said, 
^Go unto the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and 
let them wash their garments, and be ready against the third 
day. And thou shalt set bounds and say. Take heed to your- 
selves, that ye go not up into the mount : whosoever toucheth 
the mount, whether it be beast or man, shall be surely put to 
death. Then Closes went down from the mount unto the peo- 
ple, and sanctified them, and they washed their garments. 

*\\'hen now the third day came, when it was morning, 
there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the 
mount, and the voice of a trumpet exceedinglv loud ; and all the 
people that were in the camp trembled. And ]\Ioses brought 
forth the people out of the c^mp to meet God ; and they stood 
at the nether part of the mount. "And moimt Sinai was alto- 
gether on smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire : 
and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, 
and the whole mount quaked greatly. And the voice of the 
trumpet waxed louder and louder. ]\Ioses spake, and God an- 
swered him by a voice. 

®And God spake all these words saying, 

I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of 
the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt 
have no other gods before ]\Ie. 

Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor the 
likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the 
earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth ; thou 
shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. For I 
the Lord thv God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the 
fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth genera- 
tion of them that hate ]Me ; and shewing mercy unto thousands 
of them that love Me, and keep my commandments. 

T4iou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in 



B. C. 1493. THE GIVING OF THE LAW ON SINAI. 77 

vain : for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His 
name in vain. 

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days 
shalt thou labor, and do all thy work : but the seventh day is 
the Sabbath of the Lord thy God ; in it thou shalt not do any 
work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor 
thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within 
thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, 
the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day : 
wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. 

Honor thy father and thy mother ; that thy days may 
be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 

Thou shalt not kill. 

Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

Thou shalt not steal. 

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. 

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house ; thou shalt not 
covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maid- 
servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neigh- 
bor's. 

And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, 
and the voice of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. 
^And when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar 
off, and said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will 
hear : but let not God speak with us, lest we die. ^And Moses 
said unto the people, Fear not ; for God is come to prove you, 
and that His fear may be before you, that ye sin not. And 
the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick 
darkness where God was. And the Lord said unto Moses,, 
what he was to command the children of Israel. And Moses 
came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the 
judgments. ^And all the people answered with one voice, All 
the words which the Lord hath spoken will we do. 

* What was Moses to say unto the people? 
^ What was the reply of the people? 

'How were the people to prepare themselves? 

* What happened on the third day ? 

''How did Mount Sinai appear at that time? 

' Kepeat the ten words or commandments. 

^What did the people do when they beheld this dreadful sight? 

* How did Moses try to quiet the people ? 

' What did the people say, when Moses told them all the words, 
of the Lord? 



78 THE GOLDEN CALF. B. C. 1493. 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. The law that condemneth was given under terrifying manifes- 
tations and a loud voice; the gospel that bringeth salvation celebrates 
its entry into the world quietly and without external demonstrations. 

2. Israel promised unanimously, " All the words which the Lord 
hath spoken will we do." But the Lord said, " O that there were 
such an heart in ttiem, that they would fear me, and keep all my com- 
mandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their 
children forever! " (Deut. 5: 29.) 



May we Thy precepts. Lord, fulfill. 
To do on earth our Father's will, 

As angels do above : 
To walk in Christ, the living Way, 
With all Thy children, and obey 

The law of Christian love. 



31, THE GOLDEN CALF. 

Exodus 32. 

When the people saw that IMoses delayed to come down 
from the mount, they gathered themselves together unto Aaron, 
-and said, 'Up, make us gods, which shall go before us ! For 
as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land 
of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. And Aaron 
said, ^Break off the golden rings from the ears of your wives, 
of your sons, and of your daughters, bring them unto me. 
Then all the people brake off the golden rings from their ears, 
and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them, and 
made a molten calf. And they said. These be thy gods, O 
Israel, which brought thee up out of Eg^^pt ! When Aaron 
saw this, he built an altar and made proclamation, and said. 
Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord. And they rose up 
early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought 
peace offerings. ^Thereafter the people sat down to eat and to 
drink, and rose up to play. And the Lard said unto Moses, 
"Go, get thee down, for thy people have corrupted themselves. 
They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I com- 
manded them. I see this is a stiffnecked people : now therefore 
let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, that I 
may consume them : and I will make thee a great nation. And 
Moses besought the Lord, and said, 'O Lord, turn from Thy 



B. C. 1493. THE GOLDEN CALF. 79 

fierce wrath, remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom 
Thou swarest by Thine own self and saidst unto them : I will 
multiply your seed as the stars of heaven. 

Moses went down from the mount with the two tables of 
the testimony in his hands : tables, that were written on both 
their sides ; and God Himself had made them and graven the 
writing upon them. — Now when Joshua heard the noise of the 
people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise 
of war in the camp. Moses answered. It is not the voice of 
them that shout for mastery, neither of them that cry for being 
overcome : but the noise of them that sing do I hear. ''When 
he came nigh unto the camp and saw the calf, and the dancing, 
his anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, 
and brake them beneath the mount ; and he took the calf and 
burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon 
the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it, and he 
said unto Aaron, ^What did this people unto thee that thou hast 
brought so great a sin upon them ? ^Aaron answered. Let not 
the anger of my lord wax hot : thou knowest the people, that 
they are set on evil. 

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said. 
Whoso is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all 
the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. And 
he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord : ^Put ye every man his 
sword upon his thigh, and go to and fro from gate to gate 
throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and his 
companion, and his neighbor that has turned from the Lord. 
And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses : and 
there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. 
On the morrow Moses said unto the people. Ye have sinned a 
great sin : and now I will go up unto the Lord ; peradventure 
I shall make atonement for your sin. "When Moses returned 
imto the Lord, he said, Oh, this people have sinned a great 
sin ; forgive them ! And if not, blot me out of Thy book ! 
"And the Lord said. Whosoever hath sinned, him will I blot 
out of my book. In the day when I visit I will visit their sin 
upon them. 

^ What did the people say urito Aaron, when Moses delayed on 

the mount? 
* What did Aaron command them to do ? 
^ What did the people do after they had sacrificed before •their 

idol? 



80 THE SPIES. B. C. 1493. 

*\\Tiat did God say unto Moses? 
^ How did Moses beseech the Lord ? 

•What did he see and do when he had come down from the mount? 
'What did Moses say unto Aaron? 
*What was Aaron's reply? 
*What did Moses say unto the sons of Levi? 
"What did Moses say unto the Lord? 
"What was the Lord's reply? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. There is no true piety, where evil is shunned only for man's 
i^ake. Because Moses delayed, the people became idolatrous. 

2. Leaders and magistrates ought never yield, no matter how 
vehemently the people may demand a wrong; much less should they 
assist in wrong-doing. 

3. A bad example exercises a great power over God's people. 
Israel wanted a god like the heathen Egyptians had. 

4. It inflicts great pain upon a faithful servant of God, when- 
ever he sees people sin willfully. God, however, will punish those 
only, who have sinned. 



Be Thou, God, exalted high; 
And as Thy glory fills the sky. 
So let it be on earth displayed, 
Till Thou art here and there obeyed. 



32. THE SPIES. 

Numbers 10-14. 

In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth 
day of the month after the departure of the children of Israel 
from Egypt, the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle 
of the testimony, and ^the children of Israel took their journeys 
out of the wilderness of Smai ; and the cloud abode in the 
wilderness of Paran. Apd the ark of the covenant of the 
Lord went before them three days' journey, to seek out a rest- 
ing place for them. And the cloud of the Lord was over them 
by day, when they set forward from, the camp. And when 
the ark set forward, Moses said, 'Rise up, O Lord, and let 
Thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Thee flee 
before Thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, 
unto the ten thousands of thousands of Israel. 

But the children of Israel soon complained in the wilder- 



B. C. 1493. THE SPIES. 81 

ness. ^Aiid the fire of the Lord burnt among them and de- 
voured in the uttermost part of the camp. And Moses prayed 
unto the Lord, and the fire abated. The children of Israel 
also wept again, and said, *Who will give us flesh to eat ? We 
remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt for nought: 
the cucumbers, and the melons, and the onions ; but now we see 
nought save manna. And the anger of the Lord was kindled 
greatly, and Moses was displeased. And Moses prayed unto 
the Lord. ^And the Lord said, Tomorrow ye shall eat flesh. 
Is the Lord's hand waxed short? now shalt thou see whether 
my word shall come to pass unto thee or not. ^And a wind 
brought quails from the sea. And the people rose up, and 
gathered all day and all night. While the flesh was yet be- 
tween their teeth, the Lord smote the people with a very great 
plague. The name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah 
(the graves of lust), because there they buried the people that 
lusted. 

And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of 
Paran, saying, ^Send thou men, that they may spy out the land 
of Canaan. And twelve men went and spied out the land. 
'And they came unto the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from 
thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, for it was the 
time of the first grapes, and they bare it upon a staff between 
two. And they returned after forty days and told the people, 
^°Wc came unto the land which floweth with milk and honey ; 
but a strong people dwell in it, and the cities are walled and 
very great. We be not able to go up against the people, for 
they are stronger than we ; moreover we saw giants there, and 
we were in their sight as grasshoppers. 

"Then all the congregation lifted up their voice, and 
cried ; and the people wept that night, and murmured against 
Moses and Aaron, and said, Would that we had died in the 
land of Egypt ! or would we had died in this wilderness ! And 
they said one to another. Let us make a captain, and let us re- 
turn to Egypt. "^'Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces, 
before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of 
Israel. And Joshua and Caleb, who had also spied out the 
land, rent their clothes, and said, The land is an exceeding- 
good land. If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us, 
into this land ; only rebel not against the Lord. "But all the 
congregation bade stone them. 

6 



82 THE SPIES. B. C. 1493. 

Then appeared the glory of the Lord before all the chil- 
dren of Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, "How long 
will this people despise me ? and how long will they not believe 
in me ? As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the 
glory of the Lord. Because all those men which have seen 
my glory and my signs in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet 
have tempted me these ten times, and have not hearkened unto 
my voice, shall not see the land which I sware unto their 
fathers, all that were numbered of you, from twenty years and 
upward, save Caleb and Joshua. But your little ones will 
I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have rejected. 
But ye and your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness ; and you 
shall be wanderers (shepherds) in the wilderness forty years, 
after the number forty of days in which ye spied out the land ; 
and ye shall know my alienation. ^°So all the spies died, save 
Joshua and Caleb, who, of these men, remained alive. 

^ Where did th.e Lord lead the children of Israel out of the 

wilderness of Sin? 
^ What were Moses' words when the tabernacle moved, and when 

it rested? 
^ W^hat happened when the people complained in the wilderness ? 

* Why did the people begin again to murmur and to weep ? 

° \Miat did the Lord say unto Moses when he prayed unto Him ? 

® How did the Lord provide meat for the people ? 

^ How did the Lord punish the people that had lusted ? 

* What was the Lord's command to Moses in the wilderness of 

Paran ? 
®What did the spies do at the valley — or brook — of Eshcol? 
" What did the spies report when they returned ? 
"How did the whole congregation receive the report? 
^ What did Moses, Aaron and Joshua do then ? 
" What did the people say ? 
" What judgment did the Lord pronounce over the rebellious 

people ? 
^^ What befell the spies? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If you have become a pilgrim to the heavenly Canaan, beware 
of lusting again for the tares of this world, as did the children of 
Israel for the flesh-pots of Egypt. 

2. Truth and righteousness do not always go with the majority. 
There may be ten against two. Be not surprised if under such con- 
ditions justice prevails with difiiculty, 

3. Like the children of Israel who fell in the wilderness, many a 
■one in seeking the " better land " has brought great sacrifices, suffered 



B. C. 1490. THE REBELLION OF KORAH. 83 

many privations and strained himself exceedingly, yet at last failed to 
reach it, because of his unbelief (Heb. 4: 11). 



sweet and blessed country. 

The home of God's elect! 
O sweet and blessed country, 

That eager hearts expect! 
Jesus, in mercy bring us 

To that dear land of rest; 
Who art with God the Father, 

And Spirit ever blest. 



33. THE REBELLION OF KORAH. 

Numbers 16, 17. 

Korah, a Levite, with Dathan and Abiram, of the tribe 
of Reuben, rose up before Moses, with two hundred and fifty 
princes of the congregation, and said, 'Ye take too much upon 
you : wherefore Hft ye up yourselves above the congregation 
of the Lord? When Moses heard it he fell upon his face 
and said unto Korah and unto all his company, "Ye take too 
much upon you, ye sons of Levi. And Moses sent to call 
Dathan and Abiram. ^But they said, We will not come up. 
Is it a small thing, that thou killest us in the wilderness ? But 
thou must needs make thyself a prince also? Moreover thou 
hast not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, 
nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards : wilt thou put 
out the eyes of these men ? we will not come up. 

And the glory of the Lord appeared. And the Lore! 
spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying, Separate yourselves from 
among this congregation, that I consume them in a moment. 
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, shall one 
man sin, and wilt Thou be wroth with all the congregation? 
*And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying. Speak unto the con- 
gregation, saying. Get you up from about the tabernacle of 
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Moses said, Hereby ye 
shall know that the Lord hath sent me. If these men die 
as every man dieth, then the Lord hath not sent me. But if 
the Lord make a new thing and the ground open her mouth, 
and swallow them up with all that appertain to them, then 
ye shall understand that these men despised the Lord. ^And 
when he had made an end of speaking these words, the ground 
clave asunder that was under them, and opened her mouth, 



84 THE REBELLION OF KORAH. B. C. 149Q. 

and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men 
that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods ; and the 
earth closed upon them. And all Israel that were round 
about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the 
earth swallow us up. 

After this time little is known as to how the children of 
Israel fared in the wilderness. Only the names of the places 
in which they camped for a longer or shorter time during 
this period have been recorded by Moses, the man of God 
(Num. 33). ''But the house of Israel rebelled against the 
Lord, and walked not in His statutes ; they made themselves 
images, and served Moloch. (Deut. 32: 12-17. Ezek. 20: 
11-14. Am. 5: 25.) ^And Moses, the servant of the Lord, 
was troubled in his heart, because Israel remembered not 
God. But he trusted in God, and, probably during this time, 
sung the following psalm : 

Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. 

Before the mountains were brought forth, and the earth, 

From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. 

Thou turnest man to destruction; 

And sayest. Return, ye children of rnen. 

For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is 
past, 

And as a watch in the night. (Ps, 90.) 

^ What complaint did the Korahites raise against Moses and 

Aaron ? 
^ What reply did Moses give them ? 

* How did Dathan and Abiram defy Moses ? 

* What did God command Moses to do ? 

"What happened when Moses had finished these words? 
'What else is said of the people? 
' How did Moses conduct himself ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The loose rabble, which would like to have the reigns of gov- 
ernment in its own hands, always thinks the true servants of God are 
too particular, that they are too strict and exaggerate matters, when 
they insist upon justice and order. 

2. God often declares Himself emphatically for the pious, when- 
ever they are despised, reviled, and accused falsely, by rescuing them 
and punishing their adversaries. 

3. After a long, long time it is still said of the children of 
Israel, " They rebelled against the Lord in the wilderness : they walked 
not in His statutes." What will posterity say of you? 



B. C. 1453. THE SETTING-OUT IN THE DESERT. 85 

Give me a sober mind, 
A quick discerning eye, 

The first approach of sin to find 
And all occasions fly. 

Still may I cleave to Thee, 
And nevermore depart, 

But watch with godly jealousy- 
Over my evil heart. 



-O 



34. THE SETTING-OUT IN THE DESERT. 

Numbers 20, 21. 

When the forty years had passed, the children of Israel 
came 'into the desert of Zin in the first month : and the people 
abode in Kadesh. 'And Miriam died there, and was buried 
there. ''And there was no water for the congregation ; and 
they strove with Moses, saying, Would that we had died when 
our brethren died before the Lord ! Why have ye brought 
the assembly of the Lord into the wilderness, that we should 
die there, we and our cattle? And wherefore have ye led us 
up out of Egypt into this evil place? it is no place of seed, or 
of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates ; neither is there any 
water to drink. Moses and Aaron fell upon their faces. "And 
the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and as- 
semble the congregation, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and 
speak ye unto the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its 
water„ 

Then Moses took the rod, as the Lord had commanded 
him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together 
before the rock, and he said unto them, ^Hear now, ye rebels, 
shall we bring you forth water out of this rock? And Moses 
lifted up his hand, and smote the rock with his rod twice : and 
water came forth abundantly, and the congregation drank, and 
their cattle. And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, "Be- 
cause ye believed not in me, ye shall not bring this assembly 
into the land which I have given them. 

And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king 
of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Let us pass through 
thy land. But Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass 
through me, and came out against him with much people. 
'Wherefore Israel turned away from him, and came unto 
mount Hor. And the Lord said, Aaron shall not enter into 



86 THE SETTING-OUT IN THE DESERT. B. C. 1453. 

the land, because ye rebelled at the waters of Meribah. ^Take 
Aaron and bring him up into mount Hor, there shall he die. 
And they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the 
congregation. And Aaron died there in the top of the mount. 
When all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they 
wept for him thirty days. 

And they journeyed from Hor by the way to the Red Sea, 
to compass the land of Edom. And the people were much 
discouraged because of the way, and spake against God, and 
against Moses, Wherefore have ye bought us up out of Egypt 
to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread nor water 
here; and our soul loatheth this light bread. ®And the Lord 
sent fiery serpents among the people; they bit the people, and 
much of the people of Israel died. Therefore they came to 
Moses, and said, We have sinned; pray unto the Lord, that 
He take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for 
the people. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a 
fiery (brazen) serpent and set it upon a standard; every one 
that is bitten, when he looked unto it, shall live. And Moses 
made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard, and it 
came to pass, that if the serpent had bitten any man, when he 
looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived. 

And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon, king of the Amor- 
ites, saying. Let me pass through thy land : we will not turn 
aside into the fields, or into the vineyards ; we will not drink 
of the water of the wells : we will go by the highway, until we 
have passed thy border. "And Sihon would not suffer the 
children of Israel to pass through his border, but went out 
against Israel. "And Israel smote him with the edge of the 
sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok. And 
they smote Og, the king of Bashan, and possessed his land. 

^ Where did the children of Israel wander when the forty years 
had passed? 

* What happened at Kadesh ? 

* Why did tne people strive again with Moses ? 

* What did God then command Moses to do ? 

" How did Moses speak to the people when he smote the rock ? 

" What did the Lord say then to Moses and Aaron ? 

^ Where did Israel go in order to avoid the army of the Edomites ? 

* Where did Aaron die ? 

•How were the people punished when they spoke against God, and 

against Moses? 
"What was Moses now commanded to do? 



B. C. 1453. BALAK AND BALAAM. 87 

" What position did Sihon the king of the Amorites take against 

Israel ? 
" How did the king of Bashan fare ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If God has so much patience with disobedient and wilful men, 
we, too, ought to be patient with the faults and shortcomings of our 
fellowmen. 

2. It often happens, that man thinks in his heart, that God 
should not show favors to this or that person because of his misdeeds, 
and thus sets himself up for a judge. This was the sin of Moses 
and Aaron. 

3. If God punishes. He also loves. He, indeed, sent fiery serpents 
among the people, but also provided an effective remedy. The brazen 
serpent was a type of the crucified Saviour (John 3:14). The com- 
mand there was. Look up and recover, but here it is, Believe and live. 



Soon, when the desert shall be crossed 

The flood of death passed o'er. 
Our pilgrim hosts shall safely land 

On Canaan's peaceful shore. 
There love shall have its perfect work 

And prayer be lost in praise; 
And all the servants of our God 

Their endless anthems raise. 



O 

35. BALAK AND BALAAM. 

Numbers 22-24. 

The children of Israel then pitched in the plains of Moab 
at Jericho. ^And when Balak, the king of the Moabites, saw 
all that Israel had done to the Amorites and that Moab was 
sore afraid of the children of Israel, he sent messengers unto 
Balaam in Mesopotamia, to call him, saying, Come, curse me 
the people of Israel, for they are too mighty for me. And 
they departed with the rewards of divination in their hand. 
'And Balaam said. Get ye into your land: for the Lord re- 
fuseth to give me leave to go with you. Then Balak sent 
yet more honorable princes. And God said unto Balaam, 'Go 
with them; but only the word which I speak unto thee, that 
shalt thou do. 

Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and 
went with the princes of Moab. And God's anger was kin- 



88 BALAK AND BALAAM. B. C. 1453. 

died because he went. *For he loved the wages of unrighteous- 
ness. (2 Pet. 2: 15.) "i\nd the angel of the Lord placed 
himself in the way for an adversary against him. ^Now he 
was riding upon his ass ; and the ass saw the angel of the 
Lord standing in the way, with a sword drawn in his hand. 
And the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the 
field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 
Then the angel of the Lord stood in a hollow way of the 
vineyards, a wall being on each side. When the ass saw the 
angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and 
crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her 
again. Then the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in 
a narrow place, where was no turn either to the right or to 
the left. When the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell 
down. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass 
with his staff. And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and 
she said unto Balaam, 'What have I done unto thee, that thou 
hast smitten me these three times? Balaam said unto the ass, 
I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now I had 
killed thee. *Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and 
he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his 
sword drawn in his hand. And the angel of the Lord said 
unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three 
times? ^Behold, I am come forth to withstand thee, because 
thy way is perverse before me. Then Balaam said unto the 
angel of the Lord, I have sinned ; if it displease thee, I will get 
me back again. The angel of the Lord said unto Balaam, Go 
with the men : but only the word I shall speak unto thee, thou 
shalt speak. So Balaam went to Balak. 

In the morning Balak took Balaam, and brought him up 
into the high places, that thence he might see the uttermost 
part of the people. "And the Lord put a word in Balaam's 
mouth, and he said before all the princes of J\Ioab, 

How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? 

How shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? 

Let my last end b^ like his! 

And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and said, 
"I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast 
blessed them. ^^Balaam answered. Spake I not, saying. If 
Balak w^ould give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot 
go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of 



B. C. 1453. BALAK AND BALAAM. 89 

mine own mind; what the Lord speaketh, that will I speak? 
And "behold, I will tell thee what shall be in the latter days : 

There shall come forth a Star out of Jacob, 

And a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, 

And shall smite through the corners (princes) of Moab; 

Out of Jacob shall One have dominion. 

And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place ; 
and Balak also went his way. 

^ Why did Balak send for Balaam ? 

• What was Balaam's reply to the messengers of Balak ? 

• What did God say to Balaam, when Balak sent yet more honor- 

able princes? 
*How then did he kindle the anger of God, when he went? 

• Who resisted him on the way ? 

• In what manner ? 

^ What, at last, did Balaam's ass say ? 

• What did Balaam see, when his eyes were opened ? 
® What did the angel say to him ? 

" What was Balaam's reply to the angel ? 

" What words did the Lord put into Balaam's mouth ? 

^^ How did Balaam's words please Balak? 

" What did Balaam answer him ? 

"How did Balaam prophesy of the Messiah? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Many a person is convinced, that his intention is against the 
will of God; but the wages of unrighteousness will not permit him to 
give it up. 

2. Do not be offended, if a lesser one than yourself, tells you of 
your sins. Balaam was reprimanded by an ass; Peter, by a cock; and 
many a king and emperor, by a poor servant of God. 

3. An unmerited curse will be without effect; on the contrary, it 
is often changed to a blessing, as we learn from Balak and Balaam. 
Joseph said to his brethren, Ye meant evil against me; but God meant 
it for good. 



The Lord of glory is my light, 

And my salvation too; 
God is my strength, — nor will I fear 

What all my foes can do. 



90 THE FAREWELL AND DEATH OF MOSES. B. 0. 1453. 

36. THE FAREWELL AND DEATH OF MOSES. 
Numbers 26, 27. Deut. 1-35. 

Moses besought the Lord at that time, saying, ^O Lord God, 
Thou hast begun to shew Thy servant Thy greatness and 
Thy strong hand; let me go over, and see the good land that 
is beyond Jordan. But the Lord hearkened not unto him, and 
said, ^Let it suffice thee ; speak no more unto me of this mat- 
ter. Get thee up into the top of mount Pisgah, and lift up 
thine eyes, and behold the land which I shall give unto the 
children of Israel. And when thou hast seen it, thou shalt 
be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron, because ye re- 
belled against my word in the wilderness of Zin (34). And 
Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, ^Let the Lord appoint a 
man over the congregation, that they be not as sheep without a 
shepherd. And the Lord said, *Take Joshua, a man in whom 
is the spirit, and set him before all the congregation, that all 
the congregation of the children of Israel may obey. And 
Moses did so. 

And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh 
month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto 
the children of Israel all these things, and said, "Hear, O Israel : 
the Lord our God is one Lord : and thou shalt love the Lord 
thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all 
thy might. ^And these words, which I command thee this day, 
shalt be upon thine heart : and thou shalt teach them diligently 
unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest 
in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when 
thou liest down, and when thou risest up. ^And if thou shalt 
hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do 
all His commandments, all these blessings shall come upon 
thee ; blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou 
be in the field; blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, 
and blessed, when thou goest out; and the Lord shall make 
thee plenteous of good, and open unto thee His good treasure, 
the heaven to give the rain of thy land in its season, and to 
bless all the work of thine hand. 'But if thou wilt not hearken 
unto the voice of the Lord thy God, curses will overtake thee. 
Cursed shalt thou be in the field; cursed shalt thou be when 
thou comest in, cursed when thou goest out ; and the Lord shall 
scatter thee among all peoples, from one end of the earth even 
unto the other, and thou shalt fear night and day, and shalt 



B. C. 1453. THE FAREWELL AND DEATH OF KOSES. 91 

have none assurance of thy life. See, I have set before thee 
this day Hfe and good, and death and evil ! 

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ^Get thee up 
unto mount Nebo, and behold the land of Canaan, which I have 
given unto the children of Israel for a possession : and die in 
the mount whither thou goest up. And Moses went up unto 
mount Nebo. And the Lord shewed him all the land unto the 
hinder sea, and the south unto Zoar. And. the Lord said unto 
him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto 
Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed. 
Thou hast seen it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over 
thither. 

So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died, according to the 
word of the Lord. "And the Lord buried him in the valley, 
in the land of Moab ; but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto 
this day. And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old 
when he died : his eye was not dim, nor his natural force 
abated. "And the children of Israel wept for Moses thirty 
days. So the days of weeping in the mourning for Moses were 
ended. And Joshua, the son of Nun, was full of the spirit of 
wisdom ; for Moses had laid his hands upon him. And the 
children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord 
commanded Moses. ^"^And there hath not arisen a prophet 
since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to 
face. 

^ What did Moses pray for unto the Lord, before he died ? 
^What answer did he receive from the Lord? 

* What provision did Moses make when he knew that he must die ? 

* Who was to be Moses' successor ? 

^ What did Moses say unto the people before his farewell ? 

* How were they to observe his last words ? 

'' What did he promise, if they obeyed the voice of God ? 
® What should overtake them, if they were disobedient? 
^ What command did God now give unto Moses ? 
"Where was Moses buried? 

"How did the children of Israel mourn for Moses? 
" What especial remark is made of Moses ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The death of Moses is instructive. We read nothing of tem- 
poral goods and property left, but only how his people, so dear to him, 
which had given him so much anxiety and care, yet which he had loved 
faithfully till his death, might walk in the ways of God and enjoy His. 
blessing. 



92 THE DESTRUCTION OF JERICHO. B. C. 1453. 

2. The dead are not to be forgotten, nor are they to be idolized. 
It was probably on account of the latter, that the grave of Moses was 
never found. 

3. No one in God's kingdom stands so high and is so gifted as to 
be indispensable. The Lord keeps a reserve corps, and when one falls, 
another moves forward. Joshua carried out what Moses had left un- 
finished. 



The saints of God, from death set free, 
With joy shall mount on high: 

The heavenly host, with praises loud 
Shall meet them in the sky. 



-O 



37. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERICHO. 
Josh. 1-6. 

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the 
Lord said unto Joshua, ^Arise, go over this Jordan, unto 
the land which I have given you. Be strong and of good 
■courage, and let not this book of the law depart out of thy 
mouth : for then shalt thou be prosperous and have good suc- 
cess. ^And Joshua sent two spies, who came unto Jericho 
into the house of a woman named Rahab, and lodged there. 
And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there 
came men in hither to search out the land. ^And the king 
sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men. *But the 
woman hid the men on the roof, and covered them with 
stalks of flax, and said. Yea, the men came unto me, but I 
knew not whence they were ; at the shutting of the gate, when it 
was dark, they went out : pursue after them quickly ; for ye 
shall overtake them. And the men pursued after them. But 
the woman came up unto the men upon the roof and said, 
*I know that the Lord hath given you the land ; your terror is 
fallen upon us, for we have heard how the Lord dried up the 
water of the Red Sea before you, when ye came out of Egypt. 
Now therefore swear unto me, that ye will save alive my 
father's whole house. And the men did so. Then she let 
them down by a cord through the window : for her house was 
upon the town wall. 'So the two men returned unto Joshua 
and told him all. 

^Now when the people went forth to pass over Jordan, 
and the priests bare the ark of the covenant before the people, 



B. C. 1453. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERICHO. 93 

and were come unto Jordan and dipped their feet in the brink 
of the water, that the waters which came down from above 
stood and rose up upon a heap ; and those that went down 
toward the salt sea, were wholly cut off. And Israel passed 
on dry ground over Jordan. ^And they set up twelve stones 
in the place where the priests stood ; and they took up twelve 
other stones out of Jordan and afterward set them up in Gil- 
gal, that children and children's children should remember 
the great deed of God and fear the Lord their God forever. 
"When the priests which bare the ark were come up out of 
Jordan and the soles of their feet were lifted up unto the dry 
ground, the waters of Jordan returned and flowed as afore- 
time. And the children of Israel kept the passover and ate of 
the corn of the land on the morrow after the passover; and 
the manna ceased after they had eaten of the corn of the land. 
And the Lord said unto Joshua, '"See, I have given into 
thine hand Jericho. Let all the men of war go round about 
the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. "But on the 
seventh day shall the priests bear seven trumpets before the 
ark : and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven 
times, and the priests shall blow with their trumpets. All the 
people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city 
shall fall down. And Joshua said these things unto the people 
and commanded them, Ye shall not shout nor let your voice be 
heard, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until 
the day I bid you. So they did six days. But on the seventh 
day, they rose early at the dawning, and compassed the city 
after the same manner seven times : only on that day they 
compassed the city seven times. And at the seventh time, 
when the priests blew with their trumpets, Joshua said unto 
the people, Shout ; for the Lord hath given you the city. 
The city and all that is therein shall be devoted to the Lord. 
So the people shouted. ^^And the wall fell down, so that the 
people went up into the city, every man straight before him ; 
and they took the city. 

^ WTiat did the Lord command of Joshua ? 

2 What did he do first? 

^What did the king of Jericho demand of Rahab? 

*How did Rahab favor the spies? 

''Why did she do so? 

'Where did the men go then? 

''How did the people pass over Jordan? 

• What did the people do thereafter ? 



^4 ACHAN'S TRESPASS. B. 0. 1453. 

*What happened after the passage of Jordan? 
^'^ What were the people to do for six days ? 
^ What on the seventh day ? 
^What took place after this? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Care is necessary, even when doing something according to di- 
rine command. Joshua knew that God would give Jericho into his 
hands, yet he sent out spies. 

2. Neither high walls, nor mountains of hindrances can restrain 
and stop the work of him, who undertakes all things with, and for God. 

3. The rule confirmed by Christ, " the first shall be the last and 
the last shall be first" (Matt. 19:30), was in force already in the old 
covenant. A woman in bad repute became a believer and was saved, 
while the king and the other inhabitants of Jericho remained in their 
unbelief and perished. 



Come, sound His praise abroad, 

And hymns of glory sing; 
Jehovah is the sovereign God 

The universal King. 
Today attend His voice. 

Nor dare provoke His rod; 
Come, like the people of His choice, 

And own your gracious God. 



38. ACHAN'S TRESPASS. 
Josh. 7. 

When the children of Israel had conquered Jericho, 
Achan took of the devoted thing. And the anger of the Lord 
was kindled against the children of Israel. ^Now when 
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, they fled before the men 
of Ai. ^And the hearts of the people melted, and Joshua rent 
his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his^ face until evening, 
he and the elders of Israel, and they put dust upon their 
heads. And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God^ wherefore hast 
Thou brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the 
hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? *And the Lord 
said unto Joshua, Get thee up : wherefore liest thou thus upon 
thy face? Israel hath sinned. I will not be with you any 
more, except ye destroy the devoted thing. ^So Joshua rose up 
early in the morning, and brought Israel near by their tribes ; 



B. C. 1453. ACHAN'S TRESPASS. 95 

and the tribe of Judah was taken. And he brought near the 
family of Judah and took the family of the Zarhites. And he 
brought near the family of the Zarhites man by man; and 
Zabdi was taken. And he brought near his household man 
by man, and Achan was taken. 

And Joshua said, 'My son, give glory to the Lord, what 
hast thou done? And Achan answered, ^Of a truth, I have 
sinned against the Lord; I saw among the spoil a goodly 
Babylonish mantle, and two hundred shekels of silver, and 
a wedge of gold, then I coveted them, and took them. And 
behold they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent. So 
Joshua sent messengers ; and, behold, it was hid in his tent. 
And they took them from the tent, and brought them unto 
Joshua. *And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the 
Lord shall trouble thee. And all Israel stoned him with stones 
and they burned them with fire, and raised over him a great 
heap of stones. ^Then Joshua arose, and all the people of 
war, to go up against Ai, and they smote the men of Ai. 

^ What had Achan done when Jericho was taken ? 

* How did Joshua's men fare before the city of Ai? 

* What impression did this defeat make upon the people ? 

* Why could Israel not win the victory ? 

' How were the devoted thing and the guilty person discovered ? 

'What did Joshua say to Achan? 

^ What was Achan's reply? 

•What sentence was passed against Achan? 

* What did they do to the men of Ai ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The sin of a single person often prevents much good and dis- 
courages the hearts of many. 

2. Avarice is a shameful vice, especially when it seeks to acquire 
what is holy unto God, that is, what was consecrated to Him. 

3. A devoted or accursed thing in a congregation must be sought 
out and removed, else the anger of God will be kindled against the 
whole congregation. 



Take the name of Jesus ever, 
As a shield from every snare; 

If temptations round you gath'er, 
Breathe that holy name in prayer. 



96 JOSHUA'S VICTORIES AND DEATH. B. C. 1447. 

39. JOSHUA'S VICTORIES AND DEATH. 

Josh. 9-24. 

When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had 
done unto Jericho and to Ai, they did work wiUly, and went 
and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old 
sacks upon their asses, and wine skins, old, and rent, and 
bound up ; and old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old 
garments upon them ; and all the bread of their provisions was 
dry and mouldy. And they went to Joshua unto the camp at 
Gilgal, and said, 'Thy servants are come from a very far coun- 
try because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have 
heard the fame of Him and all that He did in Egypt. Where- 
fore our elders said. Take provision in your hand for the 
journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are 
your servants : and now make ye a covenant with us. This 
our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on 
the day we came forth to go unto you ; but now, behold, it 
is dry and is become mouldy : and these wine-skins, which 
we filled, were new ; and, behold, they be rent : and these our 
garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very 
long journey. And the men took of their provisions and 
asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. "^And Joshua 
made a covenant with them, to let them live. And the princes 
of the congregation sware unto them. "When the children of 
Israel journeyed, they came unto their cities on the third day, 
and smote them not, ^because the princes of the congregation 
had sworn unto them. 

^And behold, five kings of the Amorites went up against 
the people of Israel. And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear 
them not : for I have delivered them into thine hands ; there 
shall not a man of them stand before thee. Joshua therefore 
came upon them suddenly ; and the Lord discomfited them be- 
fore Israel, and he slew them with great slaughter at Gibeon. 
'And as they fled from before Israel, the Lord cast down great 
stones (hailstones) from heaven upon them, and they died. 
And more died with the, hailstones than the children of Israel 
slew with the sword. ^Then spake Joshua to. the Lord in the 
day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the chil- 
dren of Israel, and said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou 
still. And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted 
not to go down about a whole day. — Thus the Lord gave all the 



B. C. 1447. JOSHUA'S VICTORIES AND DEATH. 97 

land unto Israel, and all their enemies into their hands. And 
not one thing failed of all the good things which the Lord 
spake unto the house of Israel ; all were come to pass. 

And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, 
and said, *Now fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in 
truth. If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you 
this day whom ye will serve. As for me and my house, we will 
serve the Lord. ^And the people answered and said. We will 
serve the Lord, for He is our God. And Joshua said. Ye can- 
not serve the Lord, for He is an holy God, a jealous God ; He 
will not forgive your sins. And the people said unto Joshua, 
Nay; but we will serve the Lord. ^''And Joshua, the servant 
of the Lord, died, being an hundred and ten years old. And 
they buried him in Timnath-serah, in the mountains of Eph- 
riam. "And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel 
brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem. 

^ By what craft did the inhabitants of Gibeon save themselves ? 

^ What did the ambassadors say to Joshua ? 

^ What did Joshua and the princes of the people do then ? 

* How was the deception discovered ? 

^ What did Joshua do unto the five kings of the Amorites ? 

^ What happened when the enemies fled from before Israel ? 

'' What other miracle occurred on the same day ? 

® What did Joshua say unto the heads of the tribes which he had 
gathered in Shechem? 

^ What was their reply ? 

" How old was Joshua when he died, and where was he buried ? 

" Where did they bury the bones of Joseph ? 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. Thou shalt not steal — shalt not try to gain thy neighbor's 
property either by force, or with the semblance of right. 

2. Many a person has acquired great wealth through craft and 
fraud but lost his soul. 

3. He who keeps his promise, even if it was obtained by deceitful 
means and to his own disadvantage, fears God and is truly a man. 

4. Let Joshua's choice be your choice. But whoever wishes to 
serve the Lord, must quit the service of all other lords ; for — " Thou 
shalt have no other gods before me." 



May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfill. 
To do on earth our Father's will 

As angels do above: 
To walk with Christ, the living Way 
With all Thy children and obey 

The law of Christian love. 



98 GIDEON. B. C. 1286 

40. GIDEON. 
Judges 2-8. 

When Joshua had died, and also all that generation, there 
arose another generation, which knew not the Lord, nor yet 
the work which He had wrought for Israel. They did evil in 
the sight of the Lord and followed other gods. ^So the Lord 
delivered them into the hands of their enemies. Thus He deliv- 
ered the children of Israel into the hands of the Midianites 
seven years. And the children of Israel made them dens in 
the mountains, and caves. ^And when Israel had sown, the 
Midianites came up against them, and left no substance in 
Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. For they came up w4th 
their cattle and their tents, they came in as locusts for multi- 
tude ; both they and their camels were without number : and 
they came into the land to destroy it. 

And Gideon was beating out wheat by the winepress to 
hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the Lord ap- 
peared unto him, and said. The Lord is with thee, thou mighty 
man of valor. *Go, save Israel from the hand of the Midian- 
ites. And Gideon said unto God, ^If thou wilt save Israel by 
mine hand, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. 
If there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the 
ground, then I shall know that thou wiU save Israel by mine 
hand. And it was so. For he rose up early on the morrow, 
and pressed out the dew, a bowlful of water. And Gideon 
said unto God, Let not Thine anger be kindled against me, and 
I will speak but this once. Let me prove but this once with 
the fleece ; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all 
the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night, for 
it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the 
ground. 

^Then Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose 
up early. And the Lord said unto Gideon. The people that 
are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into 
their hand, '^lest Israel vaunt themselves, saying, Mine own 
hand hath saved me. Now therefore proclaim in the ears of 
the people. Whosoever is fearful, let him return. And there 
returned of the people twenty and two thousand ; and there re- 
mained ten thousand. And the Lord said unto Gideon, The 
people are yet too many, Bring them down unto the water. 
So he brought the people unto the water. And the Lord said 



B. C. 1286. GIDEON. 99 

unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his 
tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; like- 
wise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And 
the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their 
mouth was three hundred men ; but all the rest of the people 
bowed down upon their knees to drink. ^And the Lord said 
unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save 
you ; let all the people go every man unto his place. 

^And Gideon divided the three hundred men into three 
companies, and put into the hands of all of them trumpets, and 
"empty pitchers, with torches within. And he said unto them, 
Look on me, and as I do so shall ye do. When I blow the 
trumpet, and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets 
also on every side of all the camp and say, For the Lord, and 
for Gideon. So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with 
him came unto the camp in the beginning of the middle watch ; 
when they had but newly set the watch : and they blew the 
trumpets, and brake in pieces the pitchers with their hands. And 
the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, 
and cried, ^"The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. And all the 
host fled, and the Midianites lifted up their heads no more. 
Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us. 
And Gideon said, "I will not rule over you: the Lord shall 
rule over you. 

^What is said of the generation that arose after Joshua's death? 

*How did the Lord punish their defection? 

^ How did the Midianites treat them ? 

* What did the angel of the Lord say unto Gideon ? 

^What sign did he ask of God? 

«What did Gideon do then? 

^ Why did God say, The people are too many ? 

®How many of the twenty-two thousand men was Gideon to retain? 

®How did Gideon prepare himself for the attack? 

"What was their battle-cry? 

" What was Gideon's reply when they said, Kule thou over us ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Whoever turns away from God, leaves the source of all bless* 
ings and of life, and falls into the power of his enemies. 

2. God's mercy is without bounds. Although they are unworthy 
of it, He always meets sinful man with renewed help and grace. 

3. The Almighty needs not great numbers; He can help with i&vi 
as well as with many. 



THE STORY OF SAMSON. 

God ruleth on high, 

Almighty to save ; 
And still He is nigh — 

His presence we have. 



-O 



41. THE STORY OF SAMSON. 

Judges 13-16. 

^The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, 
and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines 
forty years. ^And the Lord raised up Samson as judge, who 
was a Nazarite unto God from his childhood, and was very 
strong. 'Once he went down to Timnath : and, behold, a 
young lion roared against him. And Samson rent him as he 
would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand. "After 
a time he returned, and, behold there was a swarm of bees in 
the carcass of the lion, and honey. And he took it, and ate of 
it. And Samson made a marriage feast at Timnath with the 
daughter of a Philistine, and said to the guests, ^Let me now 
put forth a riddle unto you : if ye can declare it me within the 
seven days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen gar- 
ments and thirty changes of raiment : but if you cannot declare 
it me, then shall ye give me thirty linen garments, and thirty 
changes of raiment. And they said unto him, Put forth thy 
riddle. And he said, ''Out of the eater came forth meat, and 
out of the strong came forth sweetness. — And they could not 
declare the riddle, and said unto Samson's wife, ^Entice thy 
husband, that he may declare unto us his riddle, lest we burn 
thee and thy father's house. Then Samson's wife wept before 
him, and said. Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not : thou 
hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and 
hast not told it me. *And she wept before him; and he told 
her, because she pressed him sore. And she told the riddle 
to the children of her people. ®Then the men said unto him on 
the seventh day, What is sweeter than honey? and what is 
stronger than a lion? And he said unto them. If ye had not 
plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle. 

But it came to pass after a while, in the time of the wheat 
harvest, that Samson visited his wife. And her father said, 
I thought that thou hadst utterly hated her; therefore I gave 
her to thy companion. '"''And Samson went and caught three 



B.C. 1167. THE STORY OF SAMSON. 101 

hundred foxes, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand be- 
tween every two tails, and set the brands on fire, and let them 
go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both 
the shocks, and the standing corn, and the vineyards and olive- 
yards. Then the Philistines said. Who hath done this? And 
they said, Samson, because they have taken his wife. "Then 
the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah. And they of 
Judah bound Samson with two new ropes and brought him 
to the Philistines. When he came, the .Philistines shouted as 
they met him. ""^But the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and 
the ropes that were upon his arms became as flax that was 
burnt with fire, and his bands dropped from off his hands. And 
he found a jawbone of an ass, and took it, and smote a 
thousand men. 

^Tt came to pass afterward that he loved a woman, whose 
name was Delilah. The lords of the Philistines came unto her 
and said. Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, 
and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of 
silver. "And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, 
wherein thy great strength lieth. As she pressed him daily 
with her words, his soul at last was vexed, and he said unto her. 
There hath not come a razor upon mine head, for I have been a 
Nazarite unto God from by mother's womb. If I be shaven, 
then my strength will go from me. ^^Then Delilah called for 
the lords of the Philistines. And she made him sleep upon her 
knees, and called for a man to shave off the seven locks of his 
head. And his strength went from him. ^^And the Philistines 
laid hold on him, and put out his eyes, and they brought him 
to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass, and he did grind 
in the prison. Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow 
again. 

And the lords of the Philistines gathered them together 
for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, for they said. 
Our god hath delivered our enemy Samson into our hand. 
"And they called for Samson out of the prison to make sport 
before them : and they set him between two pillars. And Sam- 
son said unto the lad that held him by the hand. Suffer me that 
I may feel the pillars whereupon the house resteth, that I may 
lean upon them. Now the house was full of men and women, 
and there were upon the roof about three thousand, that be- 
held while Samson made sport. ^^And Samson called unto the 



102 THE STORY OF SAMSON. B. C. 1167. 

Lord, O Lord God, remember me, and strengthen me, O God, 
only this once. And he took hold of the two middle pillars 
upon which the house rested, the one with his right hand, and 
other wath his left, and said. Let me die with the Pilistines. 
And he bowed himself w^ith all his might. And the house fell 
upon the lords and upon all the people that were therein. So 
the dead which he slew at his death were more than they w^hich 
he slew in his life. 

^ How does this story begin ? 

* Whom did the Lord now raise up as judge in Israel? 
^How did Samson prove his strength? 

* What did he find after a few days in the carcass of the lion? 
'What did Samson say to the guests at the marriage-feast? 
' What was' his riddle ? 

^ What did the Philistines say to Samson's wife ? 

* How did Samson's wife learn the riddle ? 

* How did the Philistines solve it ? 

" How did Samson take revenge on them ? 

^^What did the Philistines and the men of Judah do now? 

" What did Samson do then ? 

^^ What did the Philistines say to Delilah, Samson's wife ? 

^*How did Delilah discover the secret of Samson's strength? 

" How was Samson now deprived of his strength ? 

^"What did the Philistines do with him? 

^^ Why did they bring him up out of prison? 

" W^hat was Samson's prayer, and what did he do ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Great people make mistakes too. Samson was a great and a 
strong man, a Xazarite unto God; but he took in succession two 
heathen wives, and they proved his destruction. 

2. " Trust, but see whom." \Mioever entrusts secrets to others, 
must bear the blame himself, if later on he is betrayed and outwitted. 

3. God used Samson, as a scourge to punish the idolatrous oppres- 
sors of His people; we ought never to say: I will serve you back as 
you serve me. 



A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify; 

A never dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky. 

To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill; 

Oh may it all my powers engage to do my Master's will. 



B. C. 1150. RUTH, THE MOABITESS. 103 

42. RUTH, THE MOABITESS. 

Ruth 1-4. 

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in 
the land. ^And a certain man of Bethlehem, Elimelech, went 
to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife and his 
two sons Mahlon and Chilion. And Elimelech died, and 
Naomi was left, and her two sons. 'They took wives oi the 
women of Moab ; the name of the one was Orpah ; of the other, 
Ruth. When they had dwelt there about ten years, Mahlon and 
Chilion died. 'Then Naomi arose with her two daughters-in- 
law, and returned from the country of Moab. And on the 
way she said unto her two daughters-in-law, *Go, return: the 
Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the 
dead, and with me. Then she kissed them. And they lifted up 
their voice and wept. ^And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, 
and returned. But Ruth clave unto her. And she said. Return 
thou also ; ''and Ruth said, Whither thou goest, I will go ; and 
where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my 
people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest, will I die; 
aught but death shall part thee and me. So they came to 
Bethlehem. 

It was in the beginning of barley harvest. ^And Ruth 
went and gleaned ears of corn; and the field belonged unto 
Boaz, who was of the family of Naomi's husband. And Boaz 
came and said unto the reapers. The Lord be with you ! And 
they answered him. The Lord bless thee. Then Boaz said. 
Whose damsel is this? And the servant that was set over the 
reapers said, It is the Moabitess that came back with Naomi ; 
she hath continued even from the morning until now, and 
tarried little in the house. 'Then said Boaz unto Ruth, My 
daughter, go not to glean in another field, but abide here fast 
by my maidens ; where they reap go thou after them. I have 
charged the young men that they shall not touch thee; and 
when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink. Then 
she said, ^Why have I found grace in thy sight, seeing I am a 
stranger? ^°And Boaz said, It hath been shewed me, all that 
thou hast done unto thy mother-in-law since the death of thine 
husband. The Lord recompense thy work. At mealtime come 
thou hither, and eat. And she sat beside the reapers ; he 
reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, 
and left thereof. When she was risen up to glean, Boaz com- 



104 



RUTH, THE MOABITESS. 



B. C. 1150. 



manded his young men. saying, Let her glean even among the 
sheaves, and reproach her not : also pull out some for her from 
the bundles, and leave it and let her glean, and rebuke her not. 

So she gleaned in the field until even, and she beat it out; 
and it was about an ephah of barley. And she took it up, and 
went into the city : and her mother-in-law saw what she had 
gleaned. And she brought forth, and gave to her that she had 
left after she was sufficed. Then said her mother-in-law, Where 
hast thou gleaned today? .And she said, The man's name is 
Boaz. And Xaomi said, Blessed be he of the Lord. So she 
gleaned unto the end of harvest : and she dwelt with her 
mother-in-law. ^And Xaomi said, Boaz winnoweth barley in 
the threshingiloor. Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, 
and put th}- raiment upon thee, and go down to the threshing- 
floor. And she went down unto the threshingfloor, and did as 
her mother-in-law bade her, and said unto Boaz. Spread thy 
skirt over thine handmaid : for thou art a near kinsman. "But 
Boaz said, it is true that I am a near kinsm.an : howbeit there 
is one nearer than I. If he will not take thee then I will take 
thee, as the Lord liveth. 

When she came to her mother-in-law, she told her ever\'- 
thing and said, These six measures of barley gave he me : for 
he said. Go not empty unto thy mother-in-law. Then she said. 
Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will 
fall : for the man will not rest, until he have finished the thing 
this day. ^Xow Boaz went up and said unto the near kinsman, 
Wilt thou redeem the parcel of land, which was Elimelech's? 
And he said. I cannot redeem it : buy it for thyself. ^*So Boaz 
took Ruth, and she became his wife. 

^ \Vhat happened, when a famine had arisen in the land? 
^ What did the sons of Elimelech do. when he had died? 
' Where did Xaomi go. when her two sons had died ? 

* What did she say to her two daughters-in-law? 
=> What did Orpah do ? 

* VThat was Ruth's answer ? 

' Wliat did Ruth do after they had arrived at Bethlehem? 

* How did Boaz treat her ? 

* What did she say unto Boaz ? 

^'" What beautiful reply did he give ? 

^ What advice did Xaomi ^ive her ? 

^Wliat did Boaz say? 

^' What did the other near kinsman answer Boaz ? 

"What did Boaz do then? 



B.C. 1147. ELI AND SAMUEL. 105 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. A widow has much sorrow; but where three are in one house, 
the measure of adversity runs over. 

2. The most tender, purest and most intimate friendship has its 
foundation in religion. " Thy people shall be my people, and thy God 

my God." 

3. How beautiful it is for relatives to assist one another and 
show kindness in times of need, especially when the wealthy, like Boaz, 
do so towards the poor. 

4. Whoever honors God the Lord, him will He honor in turn. 
Ruth, who as a heathen learned to know God and served Him in sin- 
cerity, became the grandmother of David, a member in the lineage of 
the Messiah. 



Thou on the Lord rely, so safe thou shalt go on: 
Fix on His word thy steadfast eye, so shall thy work be done. — 
Thy everlasting truth, Father, Thy ceaseless love. 
Sees all Thy children's wants and knows what best for each will prove. 



-O- 



43. ELI AND SAMUEL. 

1 Sam. 1-4. 

In the times of Eli the high priest, who judged Israel 
forty years, there was a man, whose name was Elkanah, and 
Hannah his wife. And Hannah had no children. And she was 
in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore, 
and said, 'O Lord of hosts, wilt Thou give unto thine hand- 
maid a son, then I will give him unto the Lord. And as she 
continued praying before the Lord, Eli who sat on his seat by 
the doorpost of the temple of the Lord, remarked her mouth; 
for Hannah spake in her heart; her lips moved, but her voice 
was not heard. 'Therefore Eli thought she had been drunken, 
and said unto her. How long wilt thou be drunken? And 
Hannah answered, ^No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful 
spirit : I have poured out my soul before the Lord. Then Eli 
answered and said, *Go in peace : the God of Israel grant thy 
petition that thou hast asked of Him. So Hannah went her 
way, and her countenance was no more sad. And the Lord 
remembered her. And she bare a son and named him Samuel, 
saying, "Because I have asked him of the Lord. And when she 
had weaned him, she brought him to Eli. And she said, ®Oh, 
my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying for 



106 ELI AND SAMUEL. B. C. 1147, 

this child. Now the Lord hath given me my petition. There- 
fore I also grant him to the Lord as long as he shall live, be- 
cause he is granted of the Lord. And Hannah worshiped the 
Lord, and said, 

My heart exulteth in the Lord, 

The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: 

He bringeth low, and lifteth up. 

^But the sons of Eli were sons of Belial. Now Eli was 
very old and he heard all that his sons did. And he said unto 
them. Why do ye such things ? Nay, my sons ; for it is no good 
report that I hear. But they hearkened not unto their father. 
The child Samuel, however, was in favor both with the Lord, 
and also with m_en. And there came a man of God unto Eli, 
and said, ^Thus saith the Lord, Thou honorest thy sons above 
me. Them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me 
shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, harm shall come upon thine 
house ; thy sons shall die in one day. 

And Samuel lay in the temple of the Lord, where the ark 
of God was. And the Lord called Samuel. And he said, Here 
am I, and ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I, for thou calledst 
me. And he said, I called not ; lie down again. And he went. 
The Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and 
went to Eli, and said, Here am I, for thou calledst me. And 
he answered, I called not, my son ; lie down again. And the 
Lord called Samuel the third time. And he arose and went ta 
Eli, and said, Here am I ; for thou calledst me. And Eli per- 
ceived that the Lord called the child; and he said unto him, 
^Go lie down : and if He call thee, thou shalt say. Speak, Lord ; 
for thy servant heareth. Samuel went and lay down in his 
place. And the Lord came, arid called as aforetimes, Samuel, 
Samuel. Then Samuel said, Speak, for Thy servant heareth. 
And the Lord said to Samuel, "Behold, I will perform against 
Eli all that which I have spoken concerning his house, because 
he knew his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them 
not. And Samuel lay until morning, and opened the doors of 
the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to show Eli the 
vision. Then Eli called him, and said, Samuel, what is the 
thing spoken unto thee ? Hide it not from me. — "And he said. 
It is the Lord : let Him do what seemeth Him good. 

Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and 
the two sons of Eli were there with the ark of the covenant. 



B.C. 1147. ELI AND SAMUEL. lOT 

Israel was smitten, and there fell thirty thousand footmen. 
And the ark of God was taken ; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni 
and Phinehas, were slain. And there ran a man of the army, 
and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and 
with earth upon his head. And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon 
his seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for 
the ark of God. Now Eli was ninety and eight years old ; and 
his eyes were dim that he could not see. And the man said 
unto Eli, I am he that fled today out of the army. And he 
said, How went the matter, my son ? Then answered the mes- 
senger and said, ^'Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there 
hath been a great slaughter ; and thy two sons, Hophni and 
Phinehas are dead, and the ark of God is taken. ^When he 
made mention of the ark of God, Eli fell from his seat back- 
ward, and his neck brake, and he died : for he was an old man, 
and heavy. And he judged Israel forty years. 

^ How did the godly Hannah pray unto the Lord ? 

^ What did Eli think, and what did he say to her ? 

^ What was Hannah's reply ? 

*What did Eli say to her then? 

^ Why did she name her son Samuel ? 

^What did she say to Eli, when she brought him the boy? 

■^ What is said of Eli's sons ? 

® What did a man of God say to Eli ? 

^ What was Eli's advice, when Samuel thought for the third time 
that Eli had called him ? 

" What did the Lord say to Samuel ? 

" What did Eli say to this ? 

^^What news did the messenger bring from the battlefield? 

"What happened to Eli? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Judge not according to appearances, for you may thereby often 
greatly wrong others. Eli supposed that Hannah was drunk, when 
she was silently praying to God. 

2. Parents, who are too lenient and allow their children to have 
their own will, must later on deplore it bitterly, when their error can 
no longer be corrected. 

3. God calls many a man, but he hears Him not; He speaks to 
us all every day, but only very few perceive it. Blessed is he who, like 
the man from Ethiopia, finds a faithful interpreter. 



My God, accept my heart this day, and make it always Thine, 
That I from Thee no more may stray, no more from Thee decline. 
Let every thought, and work, and word to Thee be ever given; 
Then life shall be Thy service, Lord, and death the gate of heaven. 



108 SAUL IS CHOSEN KING. B. C. 1097 

44. SAUL IS CHOSEN KIXG. 
1 Sam. 8-U. 

When Samuel grew old, he made his sons judges over 
Israel. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside 
after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Then all 
the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to 
Samuel, and said. 'Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not 
in thy ways : now make us a king to judge us like all the na- 
tions. The thing displeased Samuel. And Samuel prayed 
unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel. 'Hearken 
unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee, for 
they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me. that I 
should not be king over them. And Samuel called the people 
together unto the Lord to ^lizpah, and said, Xow present 
yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thous- 
ands. So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the 
tribe of Benjamin was taken. 'And he brought the tribe of 
Benjamin near, by their families, and Saul the son of Kish was 
taken. And they sought him. And. Behold, he had hid him- 
self among the stuff. And they ran and fetched him thence : 
and when he stood among the people he was higher than any 
of them from his shoulders upward. "Then all the people 
shouted, and said, God save the king. 'But certain sons of 
Belial said. How shall this man save us? And they despised 
him, and brought him no present. But he was as though he 
had been deaf. 

^Then Xahash the king of the Ammonites encamped 
against Jabesh-gilead, and said, I will thrust out all your right 
eyes. Then came the messengers to Saul and spake these 
words in the ears of the people. .And all the people lifted up 
their voice and wept. And behold, Saul came, following the 
oxen out of the field, and said. What aileth the people that they 
weep? And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh. 
'And the Spirit of God came upon him. and he sent messengers 
throughout all the borders of Israel and called the people to 
battle. 'And the dread of the Lord fell upon the people, and 
three thousand men came out as one man, and smote the Am- 
monites, and they which remained were scattered, so that two 
of them were not left together. And the people said unto 
Samuel, ®Who is he that said. Shall Saul reign over us? bring 
the men that we may put them to death. '°But Saul said, There 



B.C. 1080. SAUL'S DISOBEDIENCE AND HIS REJECTION. 109 

shall not a man be put to death this day : for today the Lord 
hath wrought deliverance in Israel. 



^What did the elders say to Samuel? 

2 What did the Lord, who was displeased, say to Samuel? 

'Who was chosen by lot at the election for king? 

*How did the people greet him? 

^ But what did a few of them say ? 

"What did the king of the Ammonites do and say? 

' What happened to Saul and what did he do ? 

'And what did the people do? 

*How did they desire to treat Saul's opponents? 

" What reply did Saul give the people intoxicated by victory ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. A thing is not necessarily good, because others have it. Israel 
wanted a king like the heathen people had. 

2. If God always did what we wdsh, it would often harm us 
more than help us. Israel wanted a king, and God gave them one in 
His wrath. 

3. It is much more honorable, if the office seeks the man than 
the man the office. 

4. Everything went well as long as Saul yielded to the Spirit of 
God, but when an evil spirit ruled him, he retrograded towards de- 
struction. 



Oh worship the King, all-glorious above, 
And gratefully sing His power and His love; 
Our Shield and Defender, the ancient of days. 
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise. 



45. SAUL'S DISOBEDIENCE AND HIS REJECTION. 

1 Sam. 15. 

And Samuel said unto Saul, hearken thou unto the word 
of the Lord. ^Thus saith the Lord, I have marked that which 
Amalek did to Israel when he came up out of Egypt. (26.) 
Now go and smite Amalek and utterly destroy them and all 
that they have. "And Saul smote the Amalekites ; but he spared 
Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the 
fatlings, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything^ 
that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. Then 
came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, ^It repenteth 
me, that I have set up Saul to be king: for he hath not per- 



110 SAUL'S DISOBEDIENCE AND HIS REJECTION. B. C. 1080. 

.formed my commandments. And Samuel cried unto the Lord 
all night, and arose early to meet Saul in the morning. 

Now when Samuel came to Saul, Saul said unto him, 
Blessed be thou of the Lord : I have performed the command- 
ment of the Lord. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this 
bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen 
which I hear? *Saul said, They have brought them from the 
Amalekites : for the people spared the best of the sheep and 
of the oxen, to sacrifice them unto the Lord thy God, the rest 
we have. utterly destroyed. ^Then Samuel said. When thou 
wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of 
the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over 
Israel? Wherefore didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, 
-but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the 
Lord? Hath the Lord as great delight in sacrifices, as in obey- 
ing the voice of the Lord? ^Behold, to obey is better than 
sacrifice. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, 
He hath also rejected thee from being king. 

Then Saul said unto Samuel, ^I have sinned: for I have 
transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words : 
because I feared the people, and obey their voice. And as 
Samuel turned about to go away, Saul laid hold upon the skirt 
of his robe, and rent it. And Samuel said unto him, The Lord 
hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day and hath 
given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou. Then 
Saul said, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the com- 
mandment of the Lord. 'Then Samuel went to Ramah, and 
came no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Never- 
theless Samuel mourned for Saul, that the Lord repented that 
He had made Saul king over Israel. 

^Why was Saul to destroy the Amalekites? 

^How did he carry out God's commandment? 

^What did the Lord say to Samuel on account of this? 

*How did Saul try to excuse his disobedience? 

" What did Samuel say ? 

'What else did he say? 

'What was Saul's reply to this reprimand? 

'Where did Samuel go now? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Half an obedience is no obedience. It is not even proper for a 
king to treat God's word arbitrarily, to subject it to faultfinding and 
to wrest it. 



B. C. 1067. THE ANOINTING OF DAVID. Ill 

2. If you possess ill gotten gains, never presume to offer them to 
Ood. Such a one "is as he that breaketh a dog's neck" (Is. 66:3). 

3. It is nothing but pride, when men set aside God's word and 
act according to their own will. They thereby set themselves above 
Qod. 

4. " God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble " 
( 1 Pet. 5:5). When Saul was little in his own sight he was raised 
up ; but when he thought that he was great and mighty, he was 
cast down. 



Oh, for a heart to praise my God, a heart from sin set free! — 
A humble, lowly, contrite heart, believing true and clean; 
Which neither life nor death can part from Him that dwells within! 



46. THE ANOINTING OF DAVID. 

1 Sam. 16. 

The Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for 
Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel? 
"^Fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the 
Bethlehemite : for I have provided me a king among his sons. 
^And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill 
me. 'And the Lord said, take an heifer with thee, and say, I 
am come to sacrifice. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will 
shew what thou shalt do : and thou shalt anoint unto me him 
whom I name unto thee. Samuel did that which the Lord 
spake, and came to Bethlehem. *And the elders of the city 
came to meet him trembling, and said, Comest thou peaceably ? 
He said ^Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: 
sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he 
sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 

When they were come, he looked on Eliab, and said, 
Surely the Lord's anointed is before Him. But the Lord said 
unto Samuel, 'Look not on his countenance, or on the height of 
his stature; I have rejected him. For the Lord seeth not as 
man seeth. A man looketh on the outward appearance, but the 
Lord looketh on the heart. And Jesse made seven of his sons 
to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord 
hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here 
all thy children ? And he said, There remaineth yet the young- 
est, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto 
Jesse, Send and fetch him : for we will not sit down till he come 



112 THE ANOINTING OF DAVID. B. C. 1067. 

hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, 
of fair eyes, and goodly to look upon. 'And the Lord said,. 
Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 

Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and 
an evil spirit troubled him. ^And Saul said unto his servants. 
Provide me a man that can play well on the harp, and bring 
him to me. Then answered one of the young men, Behold, I 
have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite that is cunning in 
playing, a man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in 
speech, and a comely person, and the Lord is w4th him. 
Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, "Send 
me David thy son, which is with the sheep. And David came 
to Saul, and stood before him : and he loved him greatly ; and 
he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying. 
Let David stand before me; for he hath found favor in my 
sight. "When now the evil spirit was upon Saul, David took 
the harp, and played with his hand : so Saul was refreshed, and 
was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. 

*Wliat did the Lord say unto Samuel? 
2 What was Samuel's reply? 
'How was he to proceed? 

* How did the elders of Bethlehem receive him ? 
"^ What answer did he giA^e them ? 

"What were his thoughts when he saw Eliab? 

'What did the Lord say unto Samuel? 

' What did the Lord say when David entered ? 

• What did Saul say unto his servants, when an evil spirit trou- 

bled him? 
^° What was his message to Jesse, David's father? 
"What did David do, when the evil spirit was upon Saul? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. It has always been God's pleasure to choose small, unpretend- 
ing and lowlv things to make them great and thus magnify His grace 
(Comp. 1 Cor. 1:26 ss.). 

2. Whoever wishes to rise in God's kingdom, must first go far 
down. David could become king only after many great humiliations. 

3. Evil spirits may indeed be repressed for a time by all kinds 
of entertainments; but they can be banished altogether only by the 
omnipotence and grace of God. 



Oh, may that mind in us be formed. 
Which shone so bright in Thee! 

A humble, meek, and lowly mind, 
From pride and envy free. 



B. C. 1066. DAVID AND GOLIATH. 113 

47. DAVID AND GOLIATH. 
1 Sam. 17. 

The Philistines gathered together their armies to battle 
against Judah. And the Philistines stood on the mountain 
on the one side, and there was a valley between them. ^And 
there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, 
named Goliath, of Gath. whose height was six cubits and a 
span. ^And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he 
was clad with a coat of mail. And the weight of the coat was 
five thousand shekels of brass. And he had greaves of brass 
upon his legs, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders. 
And the staff of his spear was like a weaver's beam ; and his 
spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron : and his 
shield-bearer went before him. And he stood and cried unto 
the armies of Israel, ^Choose you a man for you, and let him 
come down to me ; if he kill me, then we will be your servants : 
but if I kill him, then shall ye be our servants. When Saul and 
all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were greatly 
afraid. 

*Now David returned from Saul, to feed his father's sheep, 
when the three eldest brethren had gone to the war. ^And 
Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren 
these ten loaves and these ten cheeses, and bring them unto the 
captain, and look how thy brethren fare. And David rose up 
early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and 
came to the place of the wagons. And the host was going 
forth to fight and was in battle array. And David ran to the 
army and saluted his brethren. And as he talked with them, 
behold, there came up the champion Goliath, and spake the 
same as before ; and David heard it. But all the men of Israel, 
when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid, 
and said. Have ye seen this man that is come up? The man 
who killeth him the king will greatly enrich, and will give him 
his daughter. Then David said unto the men that stood by 
him, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine ? 
And Eliab his brother heard when he spake unto the men, and 
his anger was kindled against David, and he said, 'Why hast 
thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy 
pride ; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the bat- 
tle. David answered, What have I now done? Is there not 
a cause? 

8 



114 



DAVID AND GOLIATH. 



B. C. 1066. 



And when the words were heard which David spake, they 
rehearsed them before Saul : and he sent for him. And David 
said to Saul, 'Let no man's heart fail because of him ; thy ser- 
vant will go. And Saul said to David, *Thou art not able to go 
against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a 
youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said 
unto Saul, 'The Lord that delivered me from the lion, and from, 
the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine. And Saul said 
unto David, Go, and the Lord shall be with thee. And Saul 
clad David with his apparel, and put an helmet of brass upon 
his head, and clad him with a coat of mail. And David girded 
his sword upon his apparel, and assayed to go ; for he had not 
proved it. '""Then David said unto Saul, I cannot go with 
these ; for I have not proved them. And he put them off him. 
"And he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones 
out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag which he 
had, and his sling was in his hand : and he drew near to the 
Philistine. 

And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David and 
the shield-bearer went before him. When the Philistine looked 
about, and saw David, he disdained him : for he was but a 
youth, ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine 
said unto David, ^Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with 
staves? And he cursed David, and said, Come to me, and I 
will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air. Then said David 
to the Philistine, ^^Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a 
spear, and with a shield: hut I come to thee in the name of the 
Lord of hosts, the God of Israel whom thou hast defied. This 
day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand ; and I will smite 
thee, and take thine head from off thee, and give thy carcass 
unto the fowls of the air, that all the earth may know that there 
is a God in Israel, and that the Lord saveth not with sword 
and spear : for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you 
into our hand. 

When the Philistine arose and drew nigh unto David, Da- 
vid hastened and ran toward the Philistine. "And David put 
his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and 
smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his 
forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. As David 
had no sword in his hand, he ran, and stood over the Philistine, 
and took his sword, and drew it out of its sheath, and slew him. 



B. C. 1066. DAVID AND JONATHAN. 115 

and cut off his head therewith. "^When the PhiUstines saw, 
that their champion was dead, they fled; and the children of 
Israel pursued them and smote them. And David took the 
head of the Philistine and his armor. 

^ Who came forth out of the camp of the Philistines ? 

* How was this giant armed ? 

* ' What did he call to the army of Israel ? 

* Where was David at that time? 

* Where had his father sent him ? 
'How did his brethren receive him? 
^ What did David say to King Saul ? 
•What was Saul's reply? 

® What did David answer ? 

" Why did he put off Saul's armor ? 

" How did he arm himself ? 

^ What did Goliath say to him ? 

^^ What was David's reply ? 

"What did David do now? 

"What effect did this have upon the Philistines? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Let not the mighty man glory in his might (Jer. 9:23). 
There is One, who is stronger than all; He, in whose high name little 
David went to meet the giant, bragging champion. 

2. Not the braggarts, but the humble and seemingly insignificant 
children of God are the ones who do great things. 

3. Only be sure that you are acting according to the will of 
God, then you may let the people upbraid you and accuse you of pre- 
sumption, — if only you do good. 



Sure I must fight, if I would reign; 

Increase my courage. Lord! 
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, 

Supported by Thy word. 



48. DAVID AND JONATHAN. 
1 Sam. 18-20. 

When David returned from the slaughter of the Philis- 
tine, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and 
Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Now the women came 
out of all the cities, singing, to meet king Saul, and they sang, 
'Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 
And Saul was very wroth, and this saying displeased him ; and 



116 DAVID AND JONATHAN. B. C. 1066. 

he said, 'They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to 
me but thousands : what can he have more but the kingdom ? 
*And Saul eyed David from that day forward. And Saul was 
in the midst of his house : and David played with his hand, as 
he did day by day. 'And Saul had a javelin in his hand, and 
cast it ; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall. And 
David avoided out of his presence twice, and he smote the 
javelin into- the wall. And Saul spake to Jonathan his son,, 
and to all his servants, that they should slay David. ^But 
Jonathan loved David as his own soul, and said, Let not the 
king sin against his servant David ; because he hath not sinned 
against thee. And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan, 
and sware. As the Lord liveth, he shall not be put to death. 
But an evil spirit was upon Saul, and he again cast a spear at 
David. But David slipped out of Saul's presence, and the 
spear went into the wall. 

^David fled and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him 
all that Saul had done to him. And Saul sent messengers to 
take David. *And David fled from Ramah, and said before 
Jonathan, Deal kindly with thy servant ; for thou hast brought 
thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thee. But if 
there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself ; for why shouldest 
thou bring me to thy father ? And Jonathan said unto David, 
Come let us go out into the field. And they went out into the 
field. And Jonathan said, ^The Lord the God of Israel be wit- 
ness when I have sounded my father tomorrow or the third 
day if there be good or evil toward David ; if I disclose it not 
unto thee, the Lord do so and much more to me. So Jonathan 
made a covenant, for he loved him as his own soul. "Then 
Jonathan said to David, After three days go down quickly and 
hide thyself and remain by the stone Ezel. And I will shoot 
three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. 
And, behold, I will send the lad, saying, Go find the arrows. 
If I say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of 
thee, take them ; then come thou : for there is peace to thee, 
and no hurt. But if I say unto the lad. Behold, the arrows are 
beyond thee ; go thy way : for the Lord hath sent thee away. 
And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, 
behold, the Lord is between thee and me forever. So David 
hid himself in the field. 

On the morrow after the new moon, that David's place 



£. C. 1066. DAVID AND JONATHAN. 117 

was empty, Saul said unto Jonathan his son, "Wherefore Com- 
eth not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday nor today? 
And when Jonathan tried to excuse David, Saul's wrath was 
kindled, and he said, ''Thou son of perverse rebellion, do I not 
know, that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own 
shame and unto shame of thy mother ? For as long as the son 
of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, 
nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him to me, 
for he shall surely die. And Jonathan answered Saul his 
father, and said unto him. Wherefore should he be put to death? 
what hath he done? Then Saul cast a spear at him to smite 
him : whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his 
father to put David to death. So he arose from the table, and 
did eat no meat that day : for he was grieved for David, because 
his father had done him shame. 

'Tn the morning Jonathan went out into the field at the 
time appointed with David, and a little lad with him ; and he 
said unto his lad. Run, find now the arrows which I shoot. 
And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. And when 
the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had 
shot, Jonathan cried after him, and said. Is not the arrow be- 
yond thee ? and cried after the lad. Make speed, haste, stay not. 
And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his 
master. But the lad knew not anything : only Jonathan and 
David knew the matter. And Jonathan gave his weapons unto 
his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city. "As 
soon as the lad was gone, David arose, and fell on his face, and 
bowed himself three times : and they kissed one another and 
wept, until David exceeded. And Jonathan said to David, Go 
in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name 
of the Lord, saying, The Lord shall be between m.e and thee, 
and between my seed and thy seed forever. And Jonathan 
went into the city. 

^How did David and Jonathan become friends? 

^ What, did the women sing after David's heroic deed? 

MVhat did Saul say when he heard their song of victory? 

*How did Saul treat David after this? 

^ What did Saul do when David played before him ? 

" How did Jonathan remonstrate with his father ? 

' To whom did David tlee when Saul tried a second time to put him 
to death? 

®What did David say to Jonathan? 

• How did Jonathan assure David of his friendship ? 



118 SAUL'S PERSECUTION OF DAYID. B. C. 1065. 

" What agreement did they make with each other ? 

^^ What did Saul ask Jonathan about David ? 

"What was Saul's remark, when Jonathan tried to excuse David? 

*^How did Jonathan inform David of his danger? 

"How did the two part? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. How childish it sounds, when Saul says pettishly, " They have 
ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me but thousands." Yet 
there are still enough of such complaining and ambitious children in 
the world, both among the great and the small. 

2. If the evil spirits of envj, anger, revenge, murder, and the like, 
have once taken possession of a man, he goes quickly down the inclined 
plane of sin to destruction. 

3. Many a one is a thief, murderer, adulterer, before God, al- 
though he may not be before man. Saul would have killed David and 
Jonathan if God had not protected them. The intention is accepted 
for the deed. 



When gathering clouds around. I view, 
And days are dark and friends are few. 
On Him I lean w'ho, not in vain. 
Experienced ev'ry human pain; 
He sees my wants, allays my fears, 
And counts and treasures up my tears. 



49. SAUL'S PERSECUTION OF DAVID. 

1 Sam. 21-26. 

^David fled, and came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest. 
The priest gave him shew bread to eat : for there was none 
other bread there : and the sword of Gohath. Then David fled 
to Achish the king of the PhiHstines, and from there to the 
cave of Adullam, not far from Bethlehem. And Saul sought 
David every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. 

And it was told Saul, Behold, David is in the wilderness of 
Engedi. ^Then Saul took three thousand chosen men, to seek 
David upon the rocks of the wild goats. And a cave was there^ 
and Saul went in to cover his feet. Now David and his men 
were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave. ^And the 
men said unto David, Behold the day in which the Lord hath 
delivered thine enemy into thine hand. Then David arose, and 
cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. But afterward Da- 



B. C. 1065. SAUL'S PERSECUTION OF DAVID. 119 

vid's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt, and 

said unto his men, *The Lord forbid that I should put forth 

mine hand against the Lord's anointed. And when Saul rose 

up out of the cave, David also arose afterward, and cried 

after Saul, saying, My lord the king. Saul looked behind him. 

And David said, °See the skirt of thy robe in my hand : for I 

cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not. ^And Saul 

wept, and said to David, Thou art more righteous than I. The 

Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this 

day. And Saul went home. 

Then Saul arose, and went down with three thousand men, 

to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. ^And David came to 

the place where Saul had pitched. And David said. Who will 

go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I 

will go down with thee. So David and Abishai came to the 

people by night. And, behold, Saul lay sleeping, and his spear 

stuck in the ground at his head : but the people lay round about 

him. Then said Abishai to David, *Let me smite him with the 

spear. And David said to Abishai, Who can put forth his 

hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless ? Take thou 

the spear that is at his head, and the cruse of water, and let us 

gq^ And no man saw it, nor knew it, neither did any awake ; 

for a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them. Then 

David stood on the top of the mountain afar off ; a great space 

being between them: and he cried, ^°Now see where the king's 

spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head. Then 

Saul knew David's voice, and said. Is this thy voice, my son 

David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king. 

And he said, "Wherefore dost thou pursue after me? what 

have I done ? Then Saul said, "^I have sinned : return, my son 

David ; I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was 

precious in thine eyes. David answered and said, Behold, the 

spear, O king! let one of the young men come over and fetch 

it. So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place. 

^ Where did David flee? 
" Where did Saul seek him ? 

• What did David's men say to him in the cave ? 

* What was David's reply ? 

•What did David cry after Saul, when he went his way? 

•How did he answer David? 

'Where did David come with Abishai when Saul sought him 

again ? 
" What did Abishai wish to do to Saul when he was asleep ? 



120 SAUL'S DEATH. B. C. 1058. 

•What did David say to him? 

"What did David call down from the mountain to Saul? 
" What else did David say to Saul ? 
"What did Saul say to him? 






APPLICATIONS. 

1. It is not yet proof that a person is godfearing, if he does no 
evil because the way is blocked and the opportunity is wanting. 
But if a person has opportunities repeatedly and does no evil, he 
shows true piety. 

2. A little reliance can be placed on the promises of godless peo- 
ple. Saul acknowledged his wrong several times and promised to pur- 
sue David no more, yet he did so again and again. 



Though troubles assail, and dangers affright. 
Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite, 
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide. 
The promise assures us, '' The Lord will provide." 



50. SAUL'S DEATH. 

1 Sam. 27-31. 2 Sam. L 

David said in his heart, 'I shall perish one dav by the 
hand of Saul : there is nothing better for me than that I should 
escape into the land of the Philistines ; and Saul shall not seek 
me any more in all the borders of Israel. ^And he arose and 
passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto 
Achish the king of the Philistines. And when it was told Saul 
that David was fled to Gath, he sought no more for him. And 
Achish gave David Ziklag to dwell there, and David dwelt 
there a year and four months. 

And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines 
gathered their hosts together, to fight wnth Israel. When Saul 
saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart 
trembled greatly. And when he enquired of the Lord, the 
Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor 
by prophets. 

Now the Philistines fought against Israel : and *the men 
fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount 
Gilboa. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers 
overtook him ; and he was sore wounded of the archers. Th'en 
said Saul to his armor-bearer, ^Draw thy sword, and thrust me 
through therewith, lest the Philistines come and thrust me 



B. C. 1058. SAUL'S DEATH. 12i 

through, and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not ; for 

he was sore afraid. ''Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell 

upon it. When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he 

likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul 

died, and his three sons, and. his armor-bearer, and all his men 

that same day together. ^On the morrow, when the Philistines 

came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons 

fallen in mount Gilboa ; and they cut off his head, and stripped 

off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round 

about, to carry the tidings to the people ; and they fastened his 

body to the wall of Bethshan. 

After the death of Saul, behold, on the third day, a man 

came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and 

earth upon his head. And when he came to David, he fell to 

the earth, and did obeisance. And David said unto him. Tell 

me, how went the matter? And he answered, The people are 

fled from the battle, and many of the people are fallen ; and Saul 

and Jonathan, his son, are dead also. ^Then David lamented 

with this lamentation : 

Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, nor rain, upon you: 

For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away. 

Jonathan is slain upon thy high places. 

I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: 

Very pleasant hast thou been unto me : 

Thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. 

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! 

^What did DaA^d now say in his heart? 
^ Where did David go with his men ? 

'What did Saul do when the Philistines again went to war 
against him? 

* How did Israel fare in the battle ? 

"^ What did Saul, now wounded, say to his armor-bearer ? 

* What did Saul do when he refused to obey ? 
■^ What happened on the next day ? 

* How did ]3avid lament for Jonathan ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. It is perm-issible to go out of the way of wicked men who seek 
l)lood, if it does not conflict with office and duty. 

2. "Who so diggeth a pit shall fall therein'" (Prov. 26:27). The 
same sword which Saul drew to slay David pierced his own heart. 

Abide among us as our Shield, 

Captain of Thy host; 
That to the world we may not yield, 

Nor e'er forsake our post. 



122 DAVID IS MADE KING. B. C. 1057, 

51. DAVID IS MADE KING. 
2 Sam. 2-7. 

After these things David enquired of the Lord, saying, 
Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah ? 'And the Lord 
said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither? And He 
said, Unto Hebron. So David went np thither. 'And the men 
of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the 
house of Judah. David was thirty years old when he began 
to reign, and he reigned forty years. And the king and his 
men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of 
the land. 'And David took the stronghold of Zion : the same is 
the city of David. And he dwelt in the stronghold, and called 
it the city of David. And David waxed greater and greater; 
for the Lord the God of hosts was with him. *And Hiram 
king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and 
carpenters, and masons : and they built David an house. 

David again gathered together all the chosen men of Is- 
rael, thirty thousand, and went with all the people, to bring up 
the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim. 'And they set the ark of 
God upon a new cart, and David and all the house of Israel 
played before the Lord with all manner of instruments, with 
harps, and psalteries, and with timbrels, with castanets, and 
with cymbals. And as the ark of the Lord came into the city 
of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at a window, 
and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; 
and she despised him in her heart. And they brought in the 
ark of the Lord, and set it in its place, in the midst of the 
tent that David had pitched for it. "And when David had 
made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace of- 
ferings, he blessed the people and dealt to everyone a cake of 
bread and a piece of flesh and a flagon of wine. When David 
returned, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet him, 
and said, ^How glorious was the king of Israel today, who un- 
covered himself before the handmaids of his servants as one 
of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself ! And Da- 
vid said unto Michal, *I will be yet more vile than thus, and 
will be base in mine own sight. And Michal the daughter of 
Saul had no child unto the day of her death. 

It came to pass, when the king dwelt in his house, and the 
Lord had given him rest from all his enemies round about, 
that he said unto Nathan the prophet, *See now, I dwell in an 



B. C. 1057. DAVID IS MADE KING. 123 

house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. 
And Nathan said, Go, do all that is in thine heart ; for the Lord 
is with thee. But the same night the word of the Lord came 
unto Nathan, saying, '"Go and tell my servant David, Thus 
saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell 
in? The Lord will make thee an house. When thy days he 
fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy 
seed after thee, -which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I 
ivill establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my 
name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 
J will be his father, and he shall be my son. Thine house and 
thy kingdom shall be established forever. 

"After this David smote all his enemies, for the Lord 
gave victory to David whithersoever he went. And David ex- 
ecuted judgment and justice unto all his people. And David 
said. Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I 
may show him kindness ? And Mephibosheth, the son of Jon- 
athan, came unto David. '^And David said unto him. Fear 
not: for I will show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's 
sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father ; and 
thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. 

^ Where did David now go according to the command of the Lord?^ 

^ What was done there ? 

' What did David take from the Jebusites ? 

* What did the king of Tyre send to David ? 

^How did they bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem? 

' What did David do when he had offered sacrifices ? 

' What did Michal say to David when she came to meet him ? 

* What was David's reply ? 

' What did David say to Nathan, when the land had become quiet t 
" What answer did the Lord give through Nathan the prophet ? 
"How did David rule? 
" How did David treat the son of Jonathan ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. A godfearing person never takes a single step without asking 
the Lord in prayer. 

2. A wise ruler tries not merely to enlarge his dominion, but above 
all things seeks to further the service of God. When i)avid had 
taken the stronghold of the Jebusites, he brought the ark of the 
covenant from Kirjath-jearim to Jerusalem. 

3. Be patient if in any matter you are obliged to wait. After 
having been anointed king for the first time, David had to wait at least 
ten years yet before he could ascend the throne. 



124 UAYID SIXS AND REPENTS. B. C. 1050. 

In all Thy mercies may my soul Thy bounteous goodness see ; 
Xor let the gifts Thy hand imparts estrange my heart from Thee; 
In every changing scene of life, whate'er that scene may be, 
•Give me a meek and humble mind, a mind at peace with Thee. 

52. DAVID SIXS AXD REPENTS. 

2 Sam. 10-12. 

^After this the children of Ammon came out, and put on 
the battle array against Israel, and many mighty kings went 
with them. 'And David sent Joab and his servants with him, 
and all Israel ; and they destroyed the children of Ammon and 
besieged Rabbah their chief city. But David tarried at Jeru- 
salem. And it came to pass, that David walked upon the roof 
of his house, and saw a very beautiful woman. ^She Avas the 
wife of Uriah, David's servant who was with the army before 
Rabbah. — In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab. i\nd 
he wrote, saying, *Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest 
hattle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and 
die. Xow when Joab kept watch upon the city, he assigned 
Uriah unto the place where he knew that valiant men were. 
And when the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab, 
there fell some of the people ; and Uriah died also. Then Joab 
sent and told David. 'And David sent and took Uriah's wife, 
and she became his wife. 

^But the thing displeased the Lord. 'And the Lord sent 
Nathan unto David. And he came unto him and said unto 
him. There were- two men in one city; the one rich, and the 
other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and 
herds : but the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, 
which he had bought and nourished up : and it grew up to- 
gether with him and with his children ; it did eat of his own 
morsel, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and 
was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto 
the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his 
own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man : but he took the 
poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to 
him. ^-\nd David's anger was greatly kindled against the 
man ; and he said to Nathan, As the Lord liveth, the man that 
hath done this, is a son of death. And Nathan said to David, 
*Thou art the man. Thou hast taken Uriah's wife to be thy 



B. C. 1050. DAViD SINS AND REPENTS. 125 

wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of 
Ammon. Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine 
own house ; thou didst it secretly : but I will do this thing be- 
fore all Israel, and before the sun. 

And David said unto Nathan, ^°1 have sinned against the 
Lord. And Nathan said unto David, "The Lord also hath put 
away thy sin ; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this 
deed thou hast made the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, 
the child that is born unto thee shall surely die. And Nathan 
departed unto his house. 

"And David lay in the dust and prayed unto the Lord. 
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness: 
According to the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my trans- 
gressions. 
Create in me a clean heart, God; 
And renew a constant spirit within me (Ps. 51). 

^ Who went forth to fight against Israel ? 

^ Whom did David send against the children of Ammon? 

^ Whose wife did David see from the roof of his house? 

*What did he write to Joab? 

^What did David do when Uriah was slain? 

^How did the Lord look upon David's evil deed? 

'What message did the Lord send to David by Nathan the 
prophet ? 

®How did David pass judgment on himself? 

' What did Nathan say to him ? 
*° What confession did David make now ? 
"What was Nathan's reply? 
"How did David lepent? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. There is no person so godly that he could sin no more. 
David was a man according to the heart of God, and yet he fell into a 
great and manifold sin. 

2. The servants of the Lord must point out fearlessly the sins of 
people in high station. 

3. Whoever condemns in others the sin he himself has committed 
thereby condemns himself ( Rom. 2:1). 

4. Many people sin with David, but will not repent with him; 
they forget the great displeasure that God expressed against David's 
sin. 



Oh, while I breathe to Thee, my Lord 

The deep repentent sigh. 
Confirm the kind, forgiving word, 

With pity in Thine eye. 



126 ABSALOM. B. C. 1050. 

53. ABSALOM. 

2 Sam. 14:25. Chap. 20. 

^In all Israel was none to be so much praised as Absalom 
for his beauty : from the sole of his feet even to the crown of 
his head there was no blemish in him. And when he polled his 
head, the hair of his head weighed two hundred shekels. ^And 
Absalom prepared for him a chariot and horses, and fifty men 
to run before him. And Absalom stood beside the way of the 
gate. 'And when any man had a suit which should come to 
the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, 
See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man de- 
puted of the king to hear thee. Oh that I were made judge, 
that every man which hath any suit might come unto me, and 
I would do him justice ! And when any man came nigh to do 
him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and 
kissed him. In this manner did Absalom to all Israel that 
came to the king for judgment : so Absalom stole the hearts 
of the men of Israel. *And Absalom went to Hebron, and he 
sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon 
as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom 
is king in Hebron. And the people increased continually with 
Absalom. 

Then came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of 
the men of Israel are after Absalom. ^And David said unto 
his servants. Arise, let us flee ; else none of us shall escape 
from Absalom : make speed to depart, lest he overtake us, and 
smite the city with the edge of the sword. And the king went 
forth, and all his household after him. And all the country 
wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over. *And 
the king passed over the brook Kidron, going up by the 
ascent of the mount of Olives, weeping; and he had his head 
covered, and went barefoot. And all the people that were 
with him covered every man his head, and they went up, 
weeping. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the 
men of Israel with him. And David numbered the people 
that were with him, and the people went out by hundreds and 
by thousands. And the king commanded Joab, saying, ^Deal 
gently with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the 
people heard when the king gave all the captains charge con- 
cerning Absalom. So the people went out into the field 
against Israel: and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim. 



B.C. 1050. ABSALOM. 127 

And the people of Israel were smitten then before the servants 
of David, and there was a great slaughter that day of twenty 
thousand men. 

'And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom 
rode upon his mule. And when the mule went under the 
thick boughs of a great oak, his head caught hold of the oak, 
and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth ; and 
the mule that was under him went on. ^Then Joab took three 
darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absa- 
lom, and ten young men that bore Joab's armor compassed 
about and slew him. And Joab blew the trumpet, and the peo- 
ple returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back 
the people. "And they took Absalom, and cast him into the 
great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap 
of stones. And all Israel fled every one to his tent. Now 
David sat at the gate. And there came a messenger and said, 
Peace ! Blessed be the Lord. And the king said. Is it well 
with Absalom ? And when David heard of the death of Absa- 
lom, he was much moved, and went and wept : and as he went, 
thus he said, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom ! 
would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son ! 
And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all 
the people : for the people had heard say that day. The king 
grieveth for his son. 

^How was Absalom's personal appearance? 

^ What character did he try to assume? 

'How did he try to draw the people over to his side? 

*How did he have himself declared king? 

^ What did David say when he heard of Absalom's revolt? 

'How was David's flight? 

''What did David say to Joab? 

• What happened to Absalom in this battle ? 

« What did Joab do then ? 

"How was Absalom buried? 

" How did David lament for him ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. In many a well-formed body dwells a vicious soul. Absalom 
was beautiful externally, but he had an evil, treacherous heart. 

2. In the beginning, the plans of the godless seem to prove suc- 
cessful, but they never reach the desired end. The godless are con- 
sumed with terrors. 

3. Unfaithfulness of children towards parents belongs to the 



128 THE LAST DAYS OF DaVID. B. C. 1017. 

very blackest of sins; and yet it pains good parents deeply even if 
wayward cliildren are unhappy. 

Ho^y shall the young secure their hearts, 

And guard their lives from sin? 
Thy word the choicest rules imparts 

To keep the conscience clean. 



54. THE LAST DAYS OF DAVID. 
2 Sam. 24. 1 Kings 1, 2. 1 Chron. 22-30 (21-29). 

David said unto Joab his captain of the host, ^Go now and 
number the people that I may know their sum. And Joab said, 
^My lord, the king, are not all my lord's servants? why doth 
my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt 
to Israel? Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against 
Joab. Wherefore Joab departed. And all they of Israel were 
eight hundred thousand men, and of Judah five hundred thou- 
sand men that drew the sword. But Levi and Benjamin 
counted he not among them : for the king's word was abomi- 
nable to Joab. ^And God was displeased with this thing ; there- 
fore He smote Israel. And David said unto God, I have 
sinned, in that I have done this. *And the Lord spake unto 
Gad the seer, saying. Go and speak unto David, saying. Thus 
saith the Lord, I offer thee three things : choose the one of 
them, that I may do it unto thee. Either three years of fa- 
mine ; or three months of flight before the sword of thy foes ; 
or else three days the sword of the Lord, even pestilence, in the 
land. And David said unto Gad, °I am in a great strait : let 
me fall now into the hand of the Lord ; for very great are His 
mercies : and let me not fall into the hand of man. 

^So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel ; and there fell 
seventy thousand men. And God sent an angel unto Jerusa- 
lem to destroy it. And David saw the angel of the Lord stand 
between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in 
his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the 
elders, who were clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. 
'And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the peo- 
ple to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned. But these 
sheep, what have they done? Let Thine hand, O Lord my 
God, be against me, but not against Thy people. *And David 
built there an altar to the Lord, according to the word of 



B. C. 1017. THE LAST DAYS OF DAVID. 129 

Gad, on the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite, and of- 
fered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the 
Lord ; and He answered him from heaven b}^ fire upon the 
altar of burnt offering. When David saw that the Lord had 
answered him in the threshingfloor of Araunah, the Jebusite, 
he sacrificed there, and said, Here shall be the house of the 
Lord. 

And David assembled all the princes of Israel unto Jeru- 
salem and said, ^Hear me, my brethren, and my people : It 
was in my heart to build an house; but God said unto me, 
Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou art 
a man of war, and hast shed blood ; Solomon thy son shall 
build my house. Now therefore observe and seek out all the 
commandments of the Lord. ^°And thou, Solomon, my son, 
know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect 
heart and with a willing mind. For the Lord searcheth all 
hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. 
If thou seek Him, He will he found of thee ; but if thou for- 
sake Him, He zvill cast thee off forever. Then David gave 
Solomon his son the pattern of the temple, and the pattern of 
all that he had by the spirit, and said, Be strong and of good 
courage, and do it : fear not, nor be dismayed. The Lord God 
will be with thee. 

"And the princes of Israel gave for the house of God, of 
gold five thousand talents, of silver ten thousand talents, and of 
brass eighteen thousand talents, and of iron a hundred thou- 
sand talents. Then the people rejoiced, because with a perfect 
heart they offered willingly to the Lord. ^'And David the king 
rejoiced with great joy, and said. Blessed be Thou, O Lord 
for ever and ever. Thine are riches, and honor, Thou rulest 
over all ; in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength. 
Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee. Who am I, and 
what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly? 
For all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given 
Thee. O Lord, keep forever such thoughts in the heart of Thy 
people, and give unto Solomon m}^ son a perfect heart, to keep 
Thy commandments. ^^And all the congregation blessed the 
Lord, and sacrificed a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and 
a thousand lambs, and did eat and drink before the Lord on 
that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon king, 
and anointed him unto the Lord to be prince. — ^^*And David 

9 



130 KING SOLOMON. B. C. 1017. 

skpt with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David. 
The time that he reigned over Israel was forty years. 

* What command did David give to Joab, his captain of the host ? 
*What was Joab's reply? 

* How was God pleased with this enumeration of the people ? 

* What punishment did God lay before David ? 
"What did David say to Gad the prophet? 
•How many died of the pestilence? 

^What did David say when he saw the angel of the Lord? 
*What did he do according to the advice of the prophet? 

* What did David say to the princes of Israel ? 
^**How did he address Solomon his son? 

^ What did the princes give for the erection of the house of God ? 
"How did David rejoice over contributions? 
^^ What did the whole congregation do then ? 
"How long was David king? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Things which men consider trivial may be of great offense to 
God. Pride and wantonness induced David to number his valiant 
tjien, and instead of trusting in God alone, he depended upon his army. 

2. If one member suffer, all the members suffer with it (1 Cor. 
12:26). This was true in Israel, which, with their king, formed a 
unity, and it is still true in bodies politic, and especially so in the 
Christian Church. 

3. Pious parents leave to their children not only property and 
wealth, power and honor, but pious admonitions as well. David's 
parting word to Solomon is a thoughtful sermon for parents and 
children. 



Brief life is here our portion; 

Brief sorrow, short-lived care; 
The life that knows no ending, 

The tearless life is there. 
There God, our King and Portion, 

In fulness of His grace. 
Shall we behold forever 

And worship face to face. 



55. KING SOLOMON. 

1 Kings 2-4. 

^Solomon sat upon the throne of David his father, and he 
loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father. 
And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there ; and the Lord 



B. C. 1017. KING SOLOMON. 131 

appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and said, Ask what 
I shall give thee. And Solomon said, ^O Lord my God, Thou 
hast made Thy servant king instead of David my father. I 
am but a little child : I know not how to go out or come in ; 
give Thy servant therefore an understanding to judge Thy 
people, that I may discern between good and evil : for who is 
able to judge this Thy great people? ''This pleased the Lord, 
and He said, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not 
asked for long life, nor for riches, but hast asked for under- 
standing to discern judgment; behold, I have done according 
to thy word : I have given thee a wise and an understanding 
heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, 
neither shall any arise after thee. I have given thee also that 
which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor ; and if thou 
wilt walk in my ways, as thy father David did walk, then I will 
lengthen thy days. — 

*At that time there came two women unto the king, and 
stood before him. And the one woman said, O my lord, I 
and this woman dwell in one house ; and we were together. 
And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid 
it. And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside 
me while I slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead 
child in my bosom. And when I rose in the morning to give 
my child suck, behold it was dead. But when I had consid- 
ered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son. And the 
other woman said, Nay ; but the living is my son, and the dead 
is thy son. And this said. No ; but the dead is thy son, and the 
living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. ^Then 
said the king. Fetch me a sword. And when the sword was 
brought before the king, he said, Divide the living child in two, 
and give half to this one, and half to the other. Then spake 
the woman whose the living. child was unto the king, for her 
heart yearned upon her son, and said, O my lord, give her the 
living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, It shall 
be neither thine nor mine, divide it. Then the king answered 
and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it : she 
is the mother thereof. ^And all Israel heard of the judgment; 
and they feared the king : for they saw that the wisdom of God 
was in him, to do judgment. 

^And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the river 
(Euphrates) unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents 



132 KI^G SOLOMOX. B. C. 1017. 

and served him. 'And Solomon's provision for one dav was 
thirty measures of fine iiour, and threescore measures of meal, 
ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hun- 
dred sheep, beside hans, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fatted 
fowl. And he had peace on all sides around about him, and 
Tudah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and 
under his fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba. all the days of Solo- 
mon. And Solomon had forty thousand horses for his char- 
iots, and twelve thousand horsemen. ' .And God gave Solomon 
wisdom exceeding much : and his fame was in all the nations 
round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs : and his 
songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from 
the cedar that is in Lebanon even imto the hyssop that spring- 
eth out of the wall : also of beasts and of fowl, and of creeping 
things, and of fishes. And there came of all peoples to hear 
the wisdom of Solomon. 

^What was Solomon's disposition when he became king? 

= What did he pray for? 

' How did his prayer please God, and what promise did God give 

nim in addition? 
*\Vhat complaint did two mothers bring unto Solomon? 
*How did he decide their case? 
'What resulted from his decision? 
' How far did Solomon's kingdom extend ? 
* Wliat amount of provisions did he need daily for his c-ourt ? 
' In what condition was his kingdom ? 
^'^ For what was .Solomon especially famous ? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. WTioever sincerely prays to God for spiritual gifts will receive 
from Him the nec-essaiy temporal gifts also (Matt. 6:33). 

2. It is a wicked spirit that says. " Since I have nothing, you 

shall not have anything either.'' In this way the false mother be- 
trayed herself. 

3. Children as a rule reap the fruits of the care and labors of 
their deceased parents, but often put them to bad use. David waged 
war c-ontinually : Solomon's reign was one of peace. 



Thou art my portion. my God. soon as I know Thy way. 
My heart makes haste to obey Thy word, and strffers no delay. 
I choose the path of heavenly truth, and glory in my ehoic-e: 
2sot all the riches of the earth could make me so rejoice. 



B.C. 1014. SOLOMON BUILDS THE TEMPLE. 133 

56. SOLOMON BUILDS THE TEMPLE. 
1 Kings 5-8. 

King Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, "^Thou knowest how 
that David my father could not build an house for the name of 
the Lord. But now the Lord my God hath given me rest on 
every side, and behold, I purpose to build an house for the 
Lord, as He spake unto David my father. 'When Hiram 
heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, 
Blessed be the Lord, which hath given unto David a wise son 
over this great people. I will do all thy desire concerning tim- 
ber of cedar and of fir. ^And Solomon had three score and 
ten thousand that bare burdens, and four score thousand that 
were hewers in the mountains (of Lebanon), besides Solo- 
mon's chief officers that were over the work, three thousand 
and three hundred. And the king commanded, and they 
hewed out great and costly stones, to lay the foundation of the 
house. And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders prepared 
timber and stones to build the house. *In the fourth year of 
Solomon's reign the foundation was laid for the house of the 
Lord, and in the eleventh year the house was finished. 

^And the temple was three score cubits long, twenty cubits 
wide, and thirty cubits high. And he fashioned and set up two 
pillars of brass before the temple ; the one at the right he called 
Jachin (firmness), and the one at the left he called Boaz 
(strength). And the two pillars made (with a roof upon 
them) a porch before the temple twenty cubits long, ac- 
cording to the breadth of the house ; and ten cubits was the 
breadth thereof before the house. ^And he built the walls 
within with boards of cedar, and covered the floor of the house 
with planks of fir, and overlaid the house within with pure 
gold, and the floor with gold, so that the whole house was 
overlaid with gold ; and he garnished the house with precious 
stones, and carved cherubim upon the walls. 'And the inside 
of the temple was divided into the Holy and the Holy of Holies 
The Holy was forty cubits long, twenty cubits wide and thirty 
cubits high. Therein were the golden altar and the golden 
table on which the shewbreads were laid, and ten golden can- 
dlesticks of pure gold, five on the right and five on the left. 
The Holy of Holies was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits high 
and twenty cubits wide, overlaid with pure gold. Therein 
were the ark of the covenant with the tables of the law, the 



134 SOLOMON BUILDS THE TEMPLE. B. C. 1014. 

omer of manna, and Aaron's staff. And Solomon built the 
court of the priests around the temple. Therein stood the altar 
for burnt oft'erings built of stone and overlaid with copper, and 
the brazen sea. The sea stood upon twelve oxen. Seven 
years was he in building the house of the Lord, and finished it. 

*And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king 
Solomon at the feast of Tabernacles. And all the elders of 
Israel came, and the priests took and brought up the ark of the 
Lord, and the tent of meeting, and all the holv vessels. And 
king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel were with him 
before the ark. And the priests brought in the ark of the 
covenant of the Lord unto its place. And when the priests 
were come out of the holy place, the cloud (the glory of the 
Lord) filled the house of the Lord. ^And the king blessed all 
the congregation, and stood before the altar, and spread forth 
his hands toward heaven ; and he said, O Lord the God of Is- 
rael, behold the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how 
much less this house that I have builded? Yet have Thou re- 
spect unto the prayer of Thy servant, that Thine eyes may be 
open toward this house night and day. When Thy people Is- 
rael be smitten down before the enemy, because they have 
sinned against Thee, if they turn again to Thee, and confess 
Thy name, and make supplication unto Thee in this house ; 
when the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they 
have sinned against Thee ; if there be in the land famine, pesti- 
lence, blasting, mildew, locust, or caterpiller, or whatsoever 
plague or sickness ; then hear Thou in heaven. ]\Ioreover con- 
cerning the stranger, that is not of Thy people Israel, when he 
shall come out of a far country and pray toward this house : 
hear Thou in heaven and do according to all that the stranger 
calleth to Thee for : that all the peoples of the earth may know 
Thy name, to fear Thee as doth Thy people Israel, 

And when Solomon had made an end of praying, he arose 
from before the altar, and blessed all the congregation of Israel 
with a loud voice, saying, "Blessed be the Lord ! There hath 
not failed one word of all His good promise, which He prom- 
ised by the hand of Moses His servant. The Lord our God be 
with us, as He was w4th our fathers. '^^\nd Solomon offered 
for peace-offering, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hun- 
dred and twenty thousand sheep, and held a feast, and all Israel 
with him. On the eighth day he sent the people away. "And 



B. C. 977. THE LAST DAYS OF SOLOMON. 135 

• 

they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad 
of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had shewed unto 
David His servant, and to Israel His people. 

* What message did Solomon send to king Hiram ? 
' How did Hiram receive this message ? 

* How many laborers did Solomon employ ? 

* When was the building of the temple begun, and when was it 

finished ? 
^How large was the building? 

* How was it finished on the inside ? 
^ How was it divided ? 

* On what feast-day was it dedicated ? 

' What did Solomon do during the dedication ? 

^^ What did he say when he had ended his prayer ? 

" What was sacrificed during this feast ? 

** What did the people do when eight days had passed ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. No sacrifice is too great for the faithful, when it behooves to 
glorify God and to further religion, the greatest good of man. 

2. The solemn dedication of places designed for public worship 
is a good and ancient custom. 

3. If the glory of God, if His gracious presence do not fill a house 
of God, and no believing congregation worships in it, all its decorations 
and wealth will be for nought. 



Trinity, Unity! 
Be present as we worship Thee; 
And with the songs that angels sing 
Unite the hymns of praise we bring. 



57. THE LAST DAYS OF SOLOMON. 
I Kings 9-11. 

When Solomon had finished the building of the house of 
the Lord, the Lord appeared the second time, and said unto 
him, T have heard thy prayer and have hallowed this house; 
if thou wilt walk before me, as thy father David walked, in in- 
tegrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that 
I have commanded thee, then I will establish the throne of thy 
kingdom over Israel for ever, as I promised to David. ^But if 
ye shall turn away from following me, then will I cut off Israel 
out of the land, and this house will be cast down that every one 



136 THE LAST DAYS OF SOLOMON. B. C. 977. 

that passeth by it shall be astonished, and say, Why hath the 
Lord done thus unto this land, and to this house? And they 
shall answer, Because they forsook the Lord their God. 

'And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solo- 
mon, she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with 
camels that bare very much gold, and precious stones. And 
when she had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, and the house 
he had built, there was no more spirit in her, and she said, 
*I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen 
it : and, behold, the half was not told me. Thy wisdom and 
prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. Happy are they, 
which stand continually before thee and hear thy wisdom. 
Blessed be the Lord thy God, which set thee on the throne of 
Israel : because the Lord loved Israel for ever. "And she gave 
the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and very 
many precious stones. ^And king Solomon gave to the queen 
of Sheba all her desire. So she turned and went to her own 
land, she and her servants. 

^Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and over- 
laid it with the finest gold. There were six steps to the throne, 
and the top of the throne was round behind. And there were 
stays on either side by the seat, and two lions standing beside 
the stays. And twelve lions stood on the one side and on the 
other on the steps : there was not the like made in any kingdom. 
All king Solomon's vessels were of gold, for silver was noth- 
ing accounted of. Tor the king's navy at sea with the navy of 
Hiram came every three years, bringing gold, silver, ivory, 
apes, and peacocks. So king Solomon exceeded all the kings 
of the earth in riches, and in wisdom. And all the world 
sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which 
God had put in his heart. 

^Xow Solomon loved manv strange women of the nations 
concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye 
shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you : 
for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods. 
Solomon clave unto these in love. "^"And when Solomon was 
old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods : and his 
heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart 
of David his father. "And the Lord was angry with Solomon, 
and said, Forasmuch as thou hast not kept my covenant and 
my statutes, I will rend the kingdom from thee ; but I will give 



B, C. 977. THE DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM. 137 

one tribe to thy son for David's sake. ''And Ahijah the 
prophet came to Jeroboam a man of valor, and laid hold of his 
new garment, and rent it in twelve pieces, and said, Thus 
saith the Lord, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the 
hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee : and if thou 
wilt keep my commandments, then I will do according to thy 
desires. ''The time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over 
all Israel was forty years. 

^What did the Lord promise Solomon when the temple was fin- 
ished ? 

^ What punishment did the Lord threaten to give him and the 
people? 

^ Who came from a far country to see Solomon's glory ? 

^Wfiat did the queen say to him, when she had seen all? 

° What presents did she give to Solomon ? 

•What presents did Solomon give in return? 

'' Describe Solomon's throne. 

'What did his navy bring every three years? 

^ How did Solomon act contrary to God's will? 
^° How did the strange wives turn his heart ? 
" How did the Lord punish him ? 
^^To whom did the Lord send Ahijah the prophet? 
" How long was Solomon's reign ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. He who attains to great power and honors, must be doubly 
watchful lest his heart turn away from God and lose humility. 

2. He who desires to be a friend of the world, will be at enmity 
with God (James 4:4). Therefore have no more to do with infidels 
and godless persons than God and duty require. The glory and honor 
of the world have deprived many a one of honor with God. 



Teach me, my God and King, Thy will in all to see; 
And what I do in anything, to do it as for Thee. 
To scorn the senses' sway, while still to Thee I tend; 
In all I do, be Thou the way, in all be Thou the end. 



-O- 



58. THE DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM. 

1 Kings 12-14. 

'King Solomon slept with his fathers, and Rehoboam his 
son reigned in his stead. 'And all Israel came unto Rehoboam 
and said. Thy father made our yoke grievous ; now make thou 



138 THE DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM. B. C. 977. 

his yoke lighter, and we will serve thee. 'And Rehoboam took 
counsel with the old men, that had stood before Solomon his 
father while he yet lived, saying, How do ye advise that I may 
answer this people? And they said unto him. If thou wilt hear 
them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook 
the counsel of the old men, and took counsel with the young 
men that were grown up with him. *And the young men said 
unto him. Thus shalt thou speak unto them, My father chas- 
tised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 
^When Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, they 
fell away from the house of David, and made Jeroboam king 
over all Israel : there was none that followed the house of Da- 
vid, but the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. 

^And Jeroboam said in his heart, Xow shall the kingdom 
return to the house of David, if this people go up to offer sacri- 
fices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem. Whereupon he 
made two calves of gold, and set the one in Bethel, and the 
other in Dan. And this thing became a sin, for the people 
went there. ^And, behold, there came a man of God out of 
Judah unto Bethel : and Jeroboam was standing by the altar 
to burn incense. And he cried against the altar, and said, O 
altar, altar, thus saith the Lord, Behold, a child shall be born 
unto the house of David, Josiah by name ; upon thee shall he 
sacrifice the priests of the high places. When the king heard 
the saying, he put forth his hand, saying, Lay hold on him. 
And his hand which he put forth, dried up, so that he could 
not draw it back again. And the king said. Entreat the Lord, 
that my hand may be restored me again. And the man en- 
treated the Lord, and the hand became as it was before. And 
the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, I will 
give thee a reward. And the man said, ^If thou wilt give me 
half thine house, I will not go with thee. For so was it 
charged me by the word of the Lord, Thou shalt eat no bread, 
nor drink water in this place. And he went away. 

Xow there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel ; and his son told 
him all the works that the man of God had done. Then he sad- 
dled an ass and rode after the man of God, and found him sit- 
ting under an oak : and he said unto him, Art thou the man of 
God that earnest from Judah? And he said, I am. Then he 
said. Come home with me, and eat bread. And he said, It is 
forbidden me bv the word of the Lord. And he said, I also 



B. C. 977. THE DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM. 13& 

am a prophet as thou art ; and an angel spake unto me, saying, 
Bring him back with thee, that he may eat and drink. But he 
lied unto him. So he went back. '"But when the prophet 
from Judah was gone, a lion met him, and slew him, because 
he was disobedient unto the word of the Lord. 

And Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. And Jeroboam 
said unto his wife, ^' Arise, and disguise thyself and get thee to 
Shiloh to Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be 
king over Israel : he shall tell thee what shall become of the 
child. And Jeroboam's wife went to Shiloh. Now Ahijah 
could not see by reason of his age. When Ahijah heard the 
sound of her feet, he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; 
why feignest thou thyself to be another? I am sent thee with 
heavy tidings. ''Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the Lord, Thou 
hast done evil, and hast made thee other gods, and hast cast me 
behind thy back : therefore I will bring evil upon the house of 
Jeroboam. Him that dieth in the city shall the dogs eat; and 
him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat. Arise 
thou therefore, get thee to thine house. And when thy feet 
enter into the city, the child shall die ; he alone of Jeroboam 
shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some 
good thing toward the Lord. And Jeroboam's wife departed^ 
and as she came to the threshold of the house the child died. 

^ Who became king in Solomon's stead? 

' What did the people say to Rehoboam ? 

'What counsel did the old men give him? 

^How did the young men counsel him? 

•What course did Israel take? 

•How did Jeroboam try to establish his throne? 

'What did the man of God prophesy of the false altar? 

'What did the king say when he heard it? 

• What was the prophet's reply when the king offered him a re- 
ward? 
*" What happened to the prophet on account of his disobedience ? 
" What did Jeroboam say to his wife, when his son fell sick ? 
"What information did Ahijah the prophet give her? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Children do not always walk in the footsteps of their parents^ 
Solomon ruled with wisdom, but Rehoboam ruled most unwisely. 

2. It is a great mistake for young people to suppose that they 
know everything better than the old people. The counsel of the aged 



140 ELIJAH THE PROPHET. B. C. 915. 

is based upon the experience of many years, and this is the best 
teacher. 

3. He who founds sects and introduces false worship will work 
destruction for himself and his adherents. 



To Thee we still would cleave 

With ever-growing zeal; 
If millions tempt us Christ to leave, 

Oh let them ne'er prevail. 



-O- 



59. ELIJAH THE PROPHET, 
1 Kings 17. 

Ahab was king in Israel. ^He took to wife Jezebel the 
daughter of the king of the Zidonians, worshiped Baal, and did 
yet more to provoke the Lord to anger than all the kings of 
Israel that were before him. And there arose Elijah the Tish- 
bite and said unto Ahab, ^As the Lord liveth, there shall not be 
dew nor rain three years, but according to my word. And the 
word of the Lord came unto him, saying, ^Get thee hence, and 
hide thyself by the brook Cherith ; I have commanded the 
ravens to feed thee there. Elijah did according unto the word 
of the Lord. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in 
the morning and in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 
And it came to pass that the brook dried up, because there was 
no rain in the land. And the Lord said unto him, *Get thee 
to Zarephath, and dwell there; I have commanded a widow 
there to sustain thee. 

So Elijah went to Zarephath. And behold, a widow was 
there gathering sticks. And he called to her, and said, Fetch 
me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. Bring me also 
a morsel of bread. And she said, ''As the Lord liveth, I have 
but an handful of meal and a little oil, and am gathering 
sticks, that I may dress it for me and my son, that we may eat 
it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, ^Fear not; go and do 
as thou hast said ; but make me thereof a little cake first, and 
bring it unto me ; afterward make for thee and thy son. The 
barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil 
fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain. And she went 
and did so. And she and he did eat ; ^the barrel of meal wasted 
not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of 
the Lord. 



B. C. 915. ELIJAH THE PROPHET. 141 

'After these things, the son of the woman fell sick ; and his 
sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And 
she said, O thou man of God, thou art come unto me, to bring 
my sin to remembrance. Elijah said unto her, ^Give me thy 
son. And he took him out of her bosom-, and carried him up 
into the chamber, where he abode, and laid him upon his own 
bed. And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and 
prayed, O Lord my God, let this child's soul come into him 
again. And the Lord hearkened unto the voice of Elijah ; and 
the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 
And Elijah took the child, and brought him unto his mother, 
and said, See thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, 
''"Now I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word 
of the Lord in thy mouth is truth. 

^What does this story say of king Ahab? 
^'What did Elijah the Tishbite say to him? 
^ Where did the Lord now send Elijah? 

* What did the Lord say to him, when the brook dried up ? 

^ What did the widow say, when he asked for water and bread? 

"What did Elijah say to her? 

'' HoAV was the distress of the widow relieved ? 

* What befell the widow's son ? 

MVhat did Elijah say to her, and what did he do? 
10 What did the widow say then ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If those in authority, and the prominent people transgress 
God's laws, the resulting evil becomes doubly great. Those in lower 
positions imitate their example and think themselves excusable. 

2. Great sins are followed by severe punishments. God always 
has means for punishment, and knows how to use them. 

3. God knows how to preserve His own and cares for them in a 
fatherly way, even if voracious birds must be the means. 

4. Servants of God should be a blessing and scatter blessings 
wherever they go. 



Is thy cruse of comfort failing, rise and share it with another, 

And through all the years of famine it shall serve Thee and Thy 
brother ; 

Love divine will fill thy storehouse, or thy handful still renew; 
Scanty fare for one will often make a royal feast for two. 



142 ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS OF BAAL. B. C. 915. 

60. ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS OF BAAL. 

1 Kings 18. 

The word of the Lord came to EHjah in the third year of 
the famine, saying, 'Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will 
send rain upon the earth. And Elijah went, and said unto 
Ahab, 'Gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the 
prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the 
groves four hundred. And Ahab gathered the prophets to- 
gether unto mount Carmel. And Elijah came near unto all 
the people, and said, ^How long halt ye between two opinions ? 
If the Lord be God, follow Him. But if Baal, then follow him. 
And the people answered him not a word. ''Then said Elijah 
unto the people. Give us two bullocks, and lay one on the wood, 
and put no fire under ; I will dress the other bullock, and lay it 
on the wood, and put no fire under. And call ye on the name 
of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god 
that answereth by fire, let Him be God. ^And the prophets of 
Baal took the bullock, and dressed it, and called on the name 
of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear 
us. But there was no answer. 

And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. 
'And he built an altar, and made a trench about the altar, and 
put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid it 
on the wood, and had water poured on the burnt offering, so 
that the water ran round about the altar ; and filled the trench 
also with water. Then Elijah came near, and said, 'O Lord God 
of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day 
that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant. Hear 
me, O Lord, hear me ! ^Then the fire of the Lord fell, and con- 
sumed the burnt offering. When all the- people saw it, they 
fell on their faces, and said. The Lord, He is God; the Lord, 
He is God. And Elijah said unto them. Take the prophets of 
Baal. And they took them. ^°And Elijah brought them down 
to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. "And the heaven 
grew black with clouds, and there was a great rain, because 
Elijah prayed to the Lord (Jas. 5 : 18). ' 

* What command did Elijah receive in the third year of the fam- 
ine. 
2 What did Elijah say to Ahab? 
"What did he say to the people? 
*What else did he say? 
•What did the prophets of Baal do now? 



B. C. 915. ELIJAH'S FLIGHT. 143 

••What did Elijah do thereafter? 

■'How did he pray when he had prepared his offering? 

® How did God answer him ? 

»What did the people do when they saw God's miracle? 
" What was done unto the prophets of Baal ? 
"What took place thereafter? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. As soon as the wicked forsakes his way and the unrighteous 
man his thoughts, God ceases to be angry with them (Is. 55:7). 

2. Forced repentance, as well as deathbed-repentance, rarely ever 
bring forth worthy fruit. When Ahab was famishing from hunger and 
saw the glory of God, he became subdued; but after it had rained he 
persecuted Elijah as he had done before. 

3. It is something deplorable, to be undecided in matters of re- 
ligion, to halt between two opinions. 

4. A time is coming, not a time of grace, but of a terrible judg- 
ment, when all unbelievers and the wicked will cry out, " The Lord, He 
is God; the Lord, He is God." 



Thy throne, O God, forever stands; 
Grace is the sceptre of Thy hands; 
Thy laws and works are just and right. 
Justice and grace are Thy delight. 



6i. ELIJAH'S FLIGHT. 
1 Kings 19. 

^Jezebel sought Elijah's Hfe; and he fled Into the wilder- 
ness ; and he said, ^It is enough ; now, O Lord, take away my 
life. And he lay down and slept under a juniper tree. ^And 
behold, an angel of the Lord touched him, and said unto him, 
Arise and eat. *And he looked, and, behold, there was at his 
head a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water. And the 
angel said. Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for 
thee. ^And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the 
strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb 
the mount of God ; and he came thither unto a cave and lodged 
there. 

And, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and said 
unto him. What doest thou here ; Elijah? And he said, ^I have 
been very jealous for the Lord, and I, even I only, am left ; and 
they seek my life, to take it away. And He said, Go forth, and 



144 ELIJAH'S FLIGHT. B. C. 915. 

stand upon the mount before the Lord. 'And, behold, the Lord 
passed by, and a great strong wind rent the mountains, and 
brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord ; but the Lord was not 
in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake ; but the Lord 
was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire; 
but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire a still small 
voice. *When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his man- 
tle, and went out, and stood in the entering of the cave. And, 
behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou 
here, Elijah?- And he said, 'I have been very jealous for the 
Lord, and I, even I only, am left ; and they seek my life, to take 
it away. And the Lord said unto him, ^'^Go, return on thy 
way ; yet will I leave me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees 
which have not bowed unto Baal. 

^Why did Elijah flee into the wilderness? 

^ What did he say when he sat under the juniper tree? 

' What did the angel say to him, when he was asleep ? 

* What did he see at his head ? 
•^What did he do now? 

* What was his reply when the Lord asked, " What doest thou 

here ? " 
' What did he see and hear on the mount ? 
^ What did he do, when he heard a still small voice ? 
'What was his complaint once more? 
" What did the Lord say to him now ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Our want of courage and our despondency arises principally 
from the fact that we trust God too little, and our own strength 
too much. 

2. If the children of God follow their own will, if they go where 
they wish, like Elijah did, the Lord Himself must bring them back, 
if they shall not perish. 

3. Do not always look upon the dark side of things, and in your 
discouragements do not immediately decry everybody as godless. Thef 
Lord will always keep His own, and He knows them. 



Oh, watch, and fight, and pray! 

The battle ne'er give o'er; 
Renew it boldly every day, 

And help divine implore. 



B. C. 910. ELIJAH'S PROPHECY AGAINST AHAB. 146 

62. ELIJAH'S PROPHECY AGAINST AHAB AND HIS 

HOUSE. 

1 Kings 21. 2 Kings 9. 

Naboth, the Jezreelite, had a vineyard in Jezreel, hard by 
the palace of Ahab. And Ahab said, 'Give me thy vineyard ; 
I will give thee for it a better vineyard, or I will give thee 
worth of it in money. But Naboth said, ^The Lord forbid it 
me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. 
And Ahab came into his house displeased, and laid him down 
upon his bed, and would eat no bread. And Jezebel said, 'Let 
thine heart be merry : I will give thee the vineyard. So she 
wrote letters in Ahab's name, unto the elders of Jezreel, saying, 
Set two sons of Belial before Naboth, and let them bear wit- 
ness, saying. Thou didst curse God and the king. And then 
carry him out, and stone him, that he die. And they did so; 
and the nobles sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and 
is dead. And Jezebel said to Ahab, Take possession of the 
vineyard, for Naboth is dead. *And the word of the Lord came 
to Elijah, saying. Go down to Ahab : behold, he is in the vine- 
yard of Naboth, and say. In the place where dogs licked the 
blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine ; and the 
dogs shall eat Jezebel by the rampart of Jezreel. And it came 
to pass, ^in the third year, that Ahab was smitten in battle by 
an arrow ; and the blood ran out of the wound into the bottom 
of the chariot, so that he died, and was brought to Samaria. 
And when they washed the chariot, the dogs licked up his 
blood, according to the word of the Lord. 

^Ahaziah the son of Ahab became king, and did evil in the 
sight of the Lord. And he fell sick and died according to the 
word of Elijah, when he sent messengers to ask the god of 
Ekron, whether he should recover. Joram, Ahab's other son, 
became king in his stead. 'Jehu was anointed king against 
him. And Jehu went to Jezreel, and Joram went out to meet 
him, and found him in the portion of Naboth. And Joram 
said, Is it peace? Jehu answered, What peace, so long as the 
wickedness of thy mother Jezebel is so great? And Joram 
fled, and said. There is treachery. "And Jehu drew his bow> 
and smote Joram between his arms, and the arrow went out at 
his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot. Then said Jehu to 
Bidkar his captain, "Cast him in the field of Naboth: for rc- 
10 



146 ELIJAH'S PROPHECY AGAINST AHAB. B. C. 910. 

member how that when I and thou rode together after 
Ahab his father, and the word of the Lord came unto him, I 
will requite the blood of Naboth in this portion. "And when 
Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it ; and she painted 
her face, and tired her head, and looked out at the window. 
And as Jehu entered at the gate, he lifted up his face to the 
window, and said, Throw her down ! And two chamberlains 
threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the 
wall, and on the horses : and he trode her under foot. "And 
when Jehu was come in, he did eat and drink, and he said, 
Bury Jezebel. And they went, but found no more of her than 
the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Where- 
fore they came again and told him. And he said, ^^This is the 
word of the Lord by His servant Elijah, In the portion of Jez- 
reel shall the dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel. 

^ What did Ahab demand of :N^aboth ? 

^ What was his reply to the king ? 

*What did Jezebel say to the displeased Ahab? 

■* To whom did the Lord send Elijah, and why? 

® How was the word of the Lord fulfilled ? 

* Who became king in Ahab's stead ? 

■^ Who was anointed king against Joram? 

^ What did Jehu say to Joram ? 

® What did he do when Joram fled? 
^° What did he say to Bidkar his captain? 
^^ What fate befell queen Jezebel ? 
^ What command did Jehu give now ? 
^^What did Jehu say, when he heard this? (2 Kings 9:10.) 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Woe unto the people whose princes, judges and leaders misuse 
their power for all kinds of wrongs and deeds of violence, instead of 
carrying out right and justice. • 

2. " Likes in wrong, likes in punishment." If husband and 
wife lead each other to do wrong and they sin together, they will also 
be punished together. 

3. It often seems as if the unrighteousness of men should prevail, 
but in a short time truth and justice will be victorious (Ps. 37:35, 36). 



Oh, for a faith that will not shrink though pressed by every foe; 
That will not tremble on the brink of any earthly woe! — 
A faith that shines more bright and clear when tempests rage without; 
That, when in danger, knows no fear, in darkness feels no doubt. 



B. C. 902„ THE ASCENSION OF ELIJAH. 147 

63. THE ASCENSION OF ELIJAH. 

2 Kings 2. 

When the Lord would take up EHjah by a whirlwind into 
heaven, Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said 
unto EHsha, Tarry here, I pray thee ; for the Lord hath sent me 
as far as Bethel. And Elisha said. As the Lord liveth, I will 
not leave thee. 'So they went down to Bethel ; and the sons of 
the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and 
said unto him, Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy 
master from thy head today? And he said, Yea, I know it; 
hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry 
here, I pray thee ; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And 
he said, ^As the Lord liveth, I will not leave thee. So they 
came to Jericho; and the sons of the prophets that were at 
Jericho came near to Elisha, and said, Knowest thou that the 
Lord will take away thy master from thy head today? And 
he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said 
unto him, Tarry here, I pray thee : for the Lord hath sent me 
to Jordan. And he said. As the Lord liveth, I will not leave 
thee. And they two went on. 

And fifty men of the sons of prophets went, and stood 
over against them from afar : and they two stood b}^ Jordan., 
''And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and 
smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, 
so that they two went over on dry ground. When they were 
gone over, Elijah said unto Elisha, *Ask what I shall do for 
thee, before I be taken from thee. And Elisha said, '^Let a 
double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said. Thou 
hast asked a hard thing. ^And as they went on, and talked, 
behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, 
which parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a 
whirlwind into heaven. , 

^And Elisha saw it, and he cried. My father, my father, 
the chariots of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw 
him no more. *And he took hold of his own clothes, and rent 
them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that 
fell from him, and smote the waters, and said. Where is the 
Lord the God of Elijah? And when he had smitten the 
waters, they were divided hither and thither : and Elisha went 
over. And when the sons of the prophets which were at 
Jericho saw him, they said. The spirit of Elijah doth rest on 



148 ELISHA'S MIRACLES. B. C. 901. 

Elisha. And they said unto him, ^Behold, there be with thy 
servant hfty strong men : let them go, and seek thy master : 
lest peradventure the spirit of the Lord hath taken him up, 
and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And 
he said, Ye shall not send. And they urged him till he said. 
Send. ''They sent therefore fifty men ; and they sought three 
days, but they found him not. And they came back to him, 
and he said unto them, Did I not say unto you. Go not? 

^ What did the sons of the prophets say to Elisha ? 
-What did Elisha say to Elijah? 
^How did the two cross the .Jordan? 
. "What did Elijah say to Elisha? 
MA hat did Elisha ask of him? 
*How was Elijah separated from Elisha? 
"What did Elisha cry out after Eliiah? 
* What did Elisha do' then ? 

" What did the sons of the prophets propose to do ? 
^° What did they do ? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. The pious serve a good Lord. When they have finished the 
fio:ht and have patientlv borne the burden and heat of the dar. thev 
need not trouble themselves how they shall come home: the Lord has 
already ordered His chariots. 

2. The Spirit of the Lord is an eternal and immortal Spirit; if 
one of His instruments has served His purpose. He chooses another, to 
whom he transfers oflBce and srifts. 



Lord. Thine appointed servants bless, that thev may faithful be, 
To preach the truth in righteousness, and sinners win to Thee. 
Uphold them by Almighty power. Thy strength divine impart, 
And. in each dark and trvins: hour, cheer Thou their faintinof heart. 



-O- 



' 64. ELISHA'S MIRACLES. 

2 Kings 2 : 4. 

Elisha went up unto Bethel. 'And there came forth little 
children out of the city, and mocked him and said unto him, 
Go up. thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. And he 
looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name 
of the Lord. 'And there came forth two bears out of the 
wood, and tore forty and two children. 

Now there cried a certain woman unto Elisha, saying. 



B.C. 901. ELTSHA'S MIRACLES. 149 

My husband is dead ; and the creditor is come to take him my 
two children to be bondmen. And EUsha said, ^Go, borrow 
thee empty vessels abroad of all thy neighbors ; borrow not 
a few. Thou shalt go in and shut the door upon thee and 
upon thy sons, and pour oil into all those vessels. And she 
did so. And when the vessels were full, she said unto her 
son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is 
not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and 
told the man of God. *And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay 
thy creditor. 

And Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman, 
who constrained him to eat bread. And as he oft passed by, 
she said unto her husband, ^Behold, I perceive that this is an 
holy man of God. Let us make a little chamber on the wall, 
and set there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candle- 
stick, that when he cometh to us, he shall turn in thither. And 
Elisha said. Behold, thou hast been careful for us ; what is to 
be done for thee? Gehazi, his servant, answered. Verily she 
hath no son. And Elisha said, ^At this season when the time 
cometh round, thou shalt embrace a son. And the woman 
bare a son when the time came round, as Elisha had said. 
^And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went 
out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, 
My head, my head. And he said to his servant. Carry him 
to his mother. When he had taken him, he brought him to 
his mother, and he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. 
*Then his mother came unto Elisha to mount Carmel, and 
cau.ofht hold of his feet, and told him all. And he arose and 
followed her. ^And when Elisha was come into the house, 
"behold, the child was dead upon his bed. He went in there- 
fore, and shut the door, and prayed unto the Lord. And the 
child sneezed seven times, and then opened his eyes. And he 
said unto the Shunammite, Take up thy son. "Then she fell 
at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her 
son, and went out. 

^ How did the boys of Bethel mock Elisha? 

^ How were the mockers punished ? 

^ What did Elisha tell the troubled widow to do ? 

* What did Elisha say to her after the miracle was done? 
' What did the woman of Shunem say to her husband ? 

* What prophesy did he make in turn ? 
' What happened to the child ? 



150 ELISHA AND NAAMAN. B. C. 900. 

^ Where did the child's mother go when he had died? 

•How did Elisha restore the boy to life? 

" What did the child's mother do when he was restored to her ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. What parental admonitions, and perhaps the rod could not do, 
had to be done at the command of God by two bears — namely, the 
weaning of the youthful mockers from their haockery. Ye mockers, 
think of it! 

2. God is the true helper in need; He has proven it thousands 
of times, how fatherly He provides especially for widows and orphans 
who trust in Him. He, however, used human mediation. He also de- 
sires to make use of you (Comp. Jas. 1:27). 

3. The Lord will reward him who receives His servants and 
shows kindness unto them (See Matt. 10:41, 42). 



Thy praise, Lord, I will resound 
To all the listening nations round; 
Thy mercy highest heaven transcends; 
Thy truth beyond the clouds extends. 



-O 



65. ELISHA AND NAAMAN. 

2 Kings 5. 

^Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a 
leper. ^Now the Syrians had brought away captive out of the 
land of Israel a little maid ; and she waited on Naaman's wife. 
And she said unto her mistress, Would that my lord were with 
the prophet that is in Samaria ! then would he recover him of 
his leprosy. ^So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, 
and stood at the door of the house. And Elisha sent a mes- 
senger unto him, saying, *Go and wash in Jordan seven times, 
and thou shalt be clean. ^But Naaman was wroth, and said, I 
thought. He will surely come out to me, and call on the 
name of the Lord his God. Are not the rivers of Damascus 
better than all the waters of Israel? So he went away in a 
rage. 

And his servants said, ^If the prophet had bid thee do 
some great thing, wouldst thou not have done it? how much 
rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? 
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jor- 
dan. ^And he became clean, and returned to Elisha, and 



B. C. 900. ELISHA IS PURSUED BY THE SYRIANS. 151 

said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the 
earth, but in Israel : now therefore take a present of thy serv- 
ant. But he said, 'As the Lord liveth, I will receive none. 
'When he had gone away, Gehazi followed after him, and he 
took from him two talents of silver, and two changes of 
raiment. And Gehazi stood before his master. And Elisha 
said unto him. Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, 
Thy servant went not hither or thither. And he said unto 
him, "Is it a time to receive money and garments? The 
leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee. And he 
went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. 

^ Who and what was Naaman ? 

2 Through whom was he made acquainted with Elisha! 

'How did he come to the house of the prophet? 

*What message did Elisha send to Naaman? 

' How did Naaman receive it ? 

• Wnat admonition did his servants give him ? 
^"What happened when he dipped himself in Jordan? 

• What did Elisha say when Naaman wished to give him a present? 

• What did Gehazi, Elisha's servant, do ? 
"How was his avarice punished? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Never think " I am too unimportant to do good." The captive 
Israelitish maid, who honored God and His prophets even in a strange 
land, by a single word became a me ns for a great miracle. 

2. The mind often judges quite correctly; but the heart is 
wanting in faith, and therefore also in humility and obedience. Naa- 
man's statement in regard to the rivers of Damascus was literally 
true ; but he was to learn what he could not yet do — to believe. 

3. Avarice is a shameful vice. He, too, is a thief, who tries to 
acquire other people's property by means oi falsehood and fraud. 



In each event of life, how clear 
Tny ruling hand I see! 
Each blessing to my soul more dear 
Because conferred by Thee. 



-O- 



66. ELISHA IS PURSUED BY THE SYRIANS. 

2 Kings 6. 

The king of Syria warred against Israel and took counsel 
with his servants, saying. In such and such a place shall be 
my camp. ""But Elisha sent unto the king of Israel, saying. 



152 ELISHA IS PURSUED BY THE SYRIANS. B. C. 900. 

Beware that thou pass not such a place ; 'for thither the Syrians 
are coming down. 'Then the king of Syria, being troubled, 
called his servants, and said unto them, W'ill ye not show me 
which of us is for the king of Israel ? And one of his servants 
said, 'Xay, my lord, O king: but Elisha telleth the king of 
Israel all that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. Behold, he is 
in Dothan. ^Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, 
and a great host. And when they came by night, they com- 
passed the city about. And when the servant of the man of 
God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host with 
horses and chariots was round about the city. And he said, 
^Alas, my master ! how shall we do ? And he answered, ®Fear 
not : for they that be with us are more than they that be with 
them. And Elisha prayed, and said. Lord, open his eyes, that 
he may see. 'And the Lord opened the eyes of the young 
man ; and he saw : and behold the mountain was full of horses 
and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 

And Elisha said, *Lord, smite this people with blindness. 
And He smote them with blindness. And Elisha said unto 
them. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye 
seek. ^\nd he led them to Samaria. And when they were 
come into Samaria, Elisha said, Lord, open their eyes that 
they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw ; 
and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. And Elisha 
said unto the king of Israel, ^°Thou shalt not smite them. Set 
bread and water before them that they may eat and drink, and 
go to their master. And he prepared a great provision for 
them, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away. 

^\Vhat did Elisha do. when the Syrians warred against Israel? 

^ What did the king of the Syrians say to his servants ? 

* "V\ hat did one of them reply ? 

*What did the king do then? 

^ What did Elisha's servant say when he saw the horses and 
chariots ? 

'What was Elisha's reply? 

' What happened when Elisha had prayed ? 

*How did Elisha continue his prayer? 

® Where did Elisha lead the blinded Syrians? 

^''What did the prophet say to the king of Israel? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. It is an egregious mistake to suppose that the servants of 
the word of Jod exercised no wholesome influence upon public life and 
took no interest in the commonwealth. 



B. C. 850. JONAH THE PROPHET. 153 

2. The only noble and admissible revenge is like that which Israel 
took on the Syrians. If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, 
give him to drink (Rom. 12:20). 



God is our refuge in distress, 
A present help when dangers press; 
On Him for safety we relied, 
And in His strength we will confide. 



(i'j. JONAH THE PROPHET. 

Chap. 1-4. 

In the days of Jeroboam, the king of Israel, Hved Jonah 
the prophet. Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah, 
saying, 'Go to Nineveh, and cry against it ; for their wicked- 
ness is come up before me. ^But Jonah fled from the presence 
of the Lord. And as he found a ship -going to sea, he went 
down into it to go to sea from the presence of the Lord. 
''But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, so that the 
ship was thought to be broken. Then the mariners were 
afraid, and cried every man unto his god. But Jonah was 
gone down into the ship ; and he lay, and was fast asleep. 
So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him. What 
meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God. And they 
said one to another, *Come, and let us cast lots, that we may 
know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, 
and the lot fell upon Jonah. Then they said unto him, What 
is thy country ? And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew ; and 
I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea 
and the dry land. ^Take me up and cast me into the sea ; so 
shall the sea be calm unto you : for I know that for my sake 
this great tempest is upon you. So they took up Jonah and 
cast him into the sea. And the sea ceased from its raging. 
^And the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. 
And Jonah was in the bowels of the fish three days and three 
nights. Then Jonah prayed unto God out of the fish's bowels. 
And it cast out Jonah upon the dry land. 

And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah a second time, 
saying, ^Go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it 
the preaching that I bid thee. So he went unto Nineveh, ac- 
cording to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an ex- 
ceeding great city of three days' journey. And Jonah began 



154 JONAH THE PROPHET. B.C. 850. 

to enter the city a day's journey, and he cried and said, *Yet 
forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown. 'And the people 
of Nineveh believed God and repented, and the king of Nine- 
veh arose and laid his robe from him, and covered him with 
sackcloth, and sat in ashes; and made proclamation through 
Nineveh, saying. Let every one turn from his evil way; who 
knoweth whether God will not turn away from His anger, that 
we perish not? And God saw that they turned from their 
evil way, and He repented of the evil, which He said He would 
do unto them, and He did it not. 

*^But Jonah was angry, and prayed unto the Lord, and 
said, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my 
country? Therefore I hastened to flee upon the sea: for I 
knew. Thou art gracious, and merciful, slow to anger, and of 
great kindness, and repentest Thee of the evil. "Then Jonah 
went out of the city, and sat, and made him a booth, till he 
might see what would become of the city. And a gourd 
came up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head ; 
and Jonah was exceeding glad because of the gourd. "But 
a worm smote the gourd that it withered. When the sun 
arose, the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted. 
So he wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me 
to die than to live. And God said to Jonah, "Doest thou well 
to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be 
angry even unto death. And the Lord said, Thou hast had 
pity on the gourd, for which thou hast not labored, neither 
madest it grow ; which came up in a night, and perished in 
a night : and should not I have pity on Nineveh, that great 
city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that 
cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; 
and also much cattle? 

^ Where was Jonah to ^o and what was he to do? 

'What did he do? 

"But what did God do? 

*What did the mariners say to one another? 

^What did Jonah say when the lot fell upon him? 

* How was Jonah's life preserved in the water ? 

'What did the Lord say to him a second time? 

^What did Jonah now preach in the city? 

•What was the result of his preaching? 

"How did Jonah act when God preserved the city? 

"What did he do now? 

" Why was he angry once more ? 

"What did the Lord say to him? 



B. C. 719. THE TEN TRIBES TAKEN INTO CAPTIYITY. 155 

APPLICATIONS. 

i. A servant of God should go where his Master sends him, and 
proclaim what He tells him. But more than one Jonah has never 
learned, that everyone ought to perform the duties of office and voca- 
tion as faithfully as the angels in heaven. 

2. You will flee from the Lord in vain. It is a small matter 
for Him to overtake you in a thousand ways, and to punish you. 

3. Not only a wicked world, but many of God's chosen children 
give Him much trouble. Never grow angry like Jonah, with God and 
His ways. 

4. Those people are perverted, who are pleased with God's visita- 
tions of punishments and murmur, if the Lord does not immediately 
draw His sword of vengeance at their nod and beck. 



Return, wanderer, return, 

And seek a Father's melting heart; 

His pitying eyes thy grief discern, 

His hand shall heal thine inwara smart. 



-O- 



6S. THE TEN TRIBES TAKEN INTO CAPTIVITY. 



2 Kings 17. 



^The kingdom of Israel departed more and more from the 
Lord their God, and heard not the voice of Ehjah and EHsha. 
""At last God sent yet Amos the prophet, of Tekoah, who said. 
Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O 
children of Israel : An adversary there shall be even around 
about the land, and thy palaces shall be spoiled. Israel shall 
be led captive out of his land, because ye obeyed not the voice 
of your God. Hosea also, the prophet, arose and cried, 
^Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel ! The Lord 
hath a controversy, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor 
knowledge of God in the land ; there is swearing, and lying, 
and kijling, and stealing, they break out, and blood toucheth 
blood. Therefore shall the land mourn and every one that 
dwelleth therein shall languish. My people are destroyed 
for lack of knowledge. Because thou hast rejected knowledge, 
I will also reject thee, saith the Lord God. 

But Israel heard not and continued to sin against the 
Lord. *Then came up Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, and he 
besieged Samaria three years, and took the city, and carried 
Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in 
Habor, and in the cities of the Medes. So Israel was carried 



156 THE TEN TRIBES TAKEN INTO CAPTIVITY. B. C. 719. 

away out of their own land to Assyria, as the Lord had said 
by the prophets. 

^And Shalmaneser brought men from Babylon, and from 
Hemath, and placed them in the cities of Samaria. And they 
feared not the Lord: therefore He sent lions among them, 
which killed (some) of them. Wherefore they said unto Shal- 
maneser, ^The nations which thou hast brought, know not the 
manner of the God of the land : therefore He hath sent lions 
among them, and, behold, they slay them. Then Shalmaneser 
sent one of the priests whom he had brought from thence to 
teach them the manner of the God of the land. ^So a priest 
came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should 
•fear the Lord. ^Howbeit every nation made gods of their own 
and also served strange gods. Unto this day they do after 
the former manners : they fear not the Lord, neither do they 
after the law which the Lord commanded the children of 
Israel ; so did their children likewise, and their children's chil- 
dren, the Samaritans. 

^What does our story say of the kingdom of Israel? 

^Name the prophets the Lord sent to them last. 

'What did Hosea proclaim unto them? 

* What took place when Israel continued to sin ? 

^By whom Avas the land peopled? 

® What did they say to Shalmaneser ? 

^ What did the priest do. whom Shalmaneser sent ? 

®How did the people act? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If a member is separated from the body, or a whole cor- 
poration leaves its proper ground and basis, there can be no hope 
of success. 

2. Not against Israel alone, but against many other nations as 
well as single persons, the Lord was compelled to declare; Why 
should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more. 

(Isa. 1:5.) 

3. Israel rejected God by means of false worship and pagan 
doings, and therefore the Lord rejected Israel, so that the ten tribes 
have utterly disappeared from history. 



Arm me with jealous care 

As in Thy sight to live: 
And oh! Thy servant, Lord, prepare, 

A strict account to give. 



B. C. 726. KING HEZEKIAH. 15Y 

69. KING HEZEKIAH. 

2 Kings 16-21. Isa. 36-39. 

At the time when Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria de- 
stroyed the kingdom of Israel, king Hezekiah sat on the throne 
of the kingdom of Jndah. 'He did tiiat which was pleasing in 
the sight of the Lord. And this was needful. For Ahaz his 
father had not done that which was pleasing in the sight of the 
Lord ; he made brazen images, and even sacrificed his sons, and 
closed the doors of the temple of the Lord. And therefore the 
Lord gave him into the hands of the king of Assyria. 'But 
Hezekiah opened the doors of the temple, and gathered to- 
gether the priests, and said, Sanctify yourselves, that ye sanc- 
tify the house of the Lord ; for our fathers have done that 
which was displeasing in His sight, and have forsaken the 
house of the Lord, have closed its doors, and put out the lamps^ 
and brought no sacrifices. Wherefore the wrath of the Lord 
has come upon Jerusalem, and our sons, and our fathers have 
fallen by the sword, and our sons and daughters, and wives, 
are in captivity for this. And Hezekiah sent runners through 
Judah and Israel, and said, 'Turn again unto the Lord, and He 
will turn to the remnant, that are escaped out of the hand of 
the king of Assyria. Enter into His sanctuary and serve the 
Lord. *And there assembled at Jerusalem much people, and 
they took away the altars, and cast them into the brook 
Kidron, and observed the passover. And there was great joy 
at Jerusalem. ^And Hezekiah clave to the Lord — he departed 
not from Him ; and the Lord was with him, whithersoever he 
went forth he prospered. 

But Hezekiah was sick unto death. ®And Isaiah the 
prophet came to him and said. Set thine house in order, for 
thou shalt die. Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and 
prayed unto the Lord, saying, O Lord, remember now, how I 
have walked before Thee in truth. And Hezekiah wept sore. 
And afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle of the city, the 
word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and 
say to Hezekiah, ^Thus saith the Lord, I have heard thy 
prayer, I have seen thy tears. Behold, I will heal thee : on the 
third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord ; and I 
will add unto thy days fifteen years. Hezekiah said unto 
Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me? 
And Isaiah said. Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, oi* go 



158 KING HEZEKIAH. B. C. 726. 

back ten steps ? Hezekiah answered, ^It is a light thing for the 
shadow to dechne ten steps : nay, but let the shadow return 
backward ten steps. And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the 
Lord, and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which 
it gone down on the dial of Ahaz. 

At that time Merodach, king of Babylon, sent letters and 
a present unto Hezekiah : for he had heard that Hezekiah had 
been sick. ^And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed 
him all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the 
gold, and all that was found in his treasures. There was noth- 
ing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed 
them not. Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, 
and said unto him. What said these men? and from whence 
came they unto thee ? And Hezekiah said, they are come from 
a far country, even from Babylon. And he said, What have 
they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that 
is in mine house have they seen : there is nothing among my 
treasures that I have not shewed them. "And Isaiah said 
unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord: Behold, the days 
come, that all that is in thine house shall be carried to Babylon. 
And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, shall be chamber- 
lains in the palace of the king of Babylon, 

* What is written of Hezekiah the king of Judah ? 

* How did he prove his piety ? 

' What message did his runners cry out through the land ? 
*What was the result? 

* What else is reported of Hezekiah ? 

* What was Isaiah's message to him when he was sick unto death ? 

* What happened after Hezekiah had prayed earnestly and wept ? 
' What sign had he from the Lord ? 

'How did Hezekiah receive the ambassadors of the king of Baby- 
lon? 
^''What punishment was announced to him for his vanity? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Tnank God, not all people are godless. Yet you may find ten 
wicked people before you meet even one pious person. It is said 
very rarely of the ancient kings, He did what was pleasing in the sight 
of the Lord. 

2. " Is any among you suffering, let him pray; and the prayer 
of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him 
up." (James 5: 13, 55.) 

3. " Most men will proclaim everyone his own kindness : but a, 
faithful man who can find him?" (Prov. 20: 6.) It would have been 



B. C. 628. JOSIAH AND JEREMIAH. 159 

better for Hezekiali to have passed away when he was sick, before 
his vanity and ambition had led him to make a display of his treasures 
before the Gentiles. 



Oh, magnify the Lord with me, 
With me exalt His name; 

When in distress to Him I called, 
He to mv rescue came. 



-O- 



70. JOSIAH AND JEREMIAH. 

2 Kings 22-24. 

'In the days of Josiah the king of Judah, when they re- 
paired the breaches of the house of the Lord, the book of the 
law was found in the house of the Lord. And it was brought 
and read before the king. 'And when the king heard the words 
of the book of the law (Deut. 28), he rent his clothes and 
said, Great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, 
because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of 
this book. And the word of the Lord came unto him through 
Huldah the prophetess, who said unto him, ^Thus saith the 
Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, because they 
have forsaken me ; but because thou didst humble thyself be- 
fore the Lord, thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will 
bring upon this place. And the king went up to the house 
of the Lord, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the 
people, both small and great ; and he read in their ears all the 
words of the book of the covenant which was found in the 
house of the Lord. And all the people stood to the covenant. 
*And the king commanded the priests to bring forth out of the 
temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal. 
He also brake the altar at Bethel (58) and burned bones of 
the sepulchres on it. ^The like unto him there w^as no king 
before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and 
with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the 
law of Moses. 

Jeremiah the prophet stood in the gate of the house of the 
Lord^ and proclaimed, ^Thus saith the Lord, amend your ways 
and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. 
A stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times ; and the 
turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their 



160 JOSIAH AND JEREMIAH. B. C. 628. 

coming, but my people know not the ordinance of the Lord. 
I will scatter them also among the nations of the earth, be- 
cause of their sins, and I will cause them to fall by the sword 
and famine ; and their carcasses will be meat for the fowls of 
the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth. '\Mien Pashur the 
chief officer in the house of the Lord heard these words of the 
Lord prophesied, he smote Jeremiah the prophet and cast him 
into prison. 

^\fter the death of Josiah came up Nebuchadnezzar king 
of Babylon, against Jerusalem, and took awav all the treasures 
of the house of the Lord, and carried away all Jerusalem, all 
the princes, all the mighty and ten thousand, captives, and made 
Zedekiah king in Jehoiakim's stead. He did that which was 
evil in the sight of the Lord ; and he rebelled. Then the king 
of Babylon came up with all his army against Jerusalem. 
^And the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, Go and tell 
Zedekiah, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will give this city into 
the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire': 
and thou shalt not escape, but shalt be delivered into his hand^ 
and shalt go to Babylon. 

Then the princes said unto the king, Let this man we 
pray thee be put to death : forasmuch as he weakeneth the 
hands of the men of war. "Then they took Jeremiah and cast 
him into a dungeon, in which there was no water, but rnire. 
And Jeremiah sunk in the mire. Xow when Ebed-melech the 
Ethiopian, a chamberlain of the king, heard that they had 
put Jeremiah in the dungeon, he said, '^^ly lord the king, these 
men have done evil to Jeremiah, that they have cast him into 
the dungeon where he will die for hunger : for there is no 
more bread in the city. "^Then the king commanded the 
Ethiopian, saying, Take thirty men, and take up Jeremiah out 
of the dungeon, before he die. So the Ethiopian took thence 
old cast off clouts and old worn out rags, and let them down 
by cords into the dungeon, and said unto Jeremiah, Put these 
clouts under thine armholes under the cords. And they drew 
up Jeremiah with the cords, out of the dungeon ; and he re- 
mained in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem 
was taken. 

^What happened in the time of Josiah the king of Judah? 
"What did the king do when the book of the law was read? 
•What did Huldah the prophetoss prophesy? 



B. C. 590. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. 161 

*What did the king command the priests? 

• What do the Scriptures testify of Josiah ? 

• What did Jeremiah the prophet proclaim to the people ? 
^ What happened to Jeremiah then ? 

• What took place after the death of Josiah ? 

• What Avas the Lord's command to Jeremiah ? 
" How was he mistreated on account of it ? 

"What did Ebed-melech the Ethiopian say to the king? 
"How was Jeremiah drawn out of the dungeon? 



' APPLICATIONS. 

1. It is a bad sign, if houses of worship decay and God's Book la 
lost. The condition of our churches and the value we place on the 
word of God indicate the measure of our piety. 

2. God has at all times raised up men to punish the sins of His 
people when they went astray, and to raise up again the foundation of 
faith ; Josiah was a reformer of the Church in the full sense of the word. 

3. Rebuke the world, and it will revile and misuse you. No 
matter how well meaning a servant of God may be, his faithfulness and 
love of the truth only awakens hatred and bitterness with the godless. 



Lord, in this Thy mercy's day 
Ere from us it pass away, 
On our knees we fall and pray. 
Judge and Saviour of our race, 
When we see Thee face to face. 
Grant us 'neath Thy wings a place. 



71. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. 

2 Kings 25; 1-25. 

^Nebuchadnezzar came again with all his army against 
Jerusalem, and besieged it, and built forth round about it. And 
the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for 
the people. Then a breach was made in the city; and all the 
men of war fled by night. And the king fled also. ^But the 
army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook 
him in the plains of Jericho : and all his army was scattered 
from him, then they took the king and brought him up unto the 
king of Babylon; and they gave judgment on him. And they 
slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out his eyes, 
and bound him in fetters, and carried him to Babylon. ^And he 
burnt the temple, and the king's house, and all the houses of 
11 



162 THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. B. C. 590. 

Jerusalem. And all the army of the Chaldeans brake down 
the walls of Jerusalem round about. And the residue of the 
people that were left in the city, was carried away. But the 
poorest of the land were left to be vinedressers and husband- 
men. *And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the 
Lord, and the brazen sea, did the Chaldeans break in pieces, 
and carried the brass to Babylon ; also the golden and silver 
pans and basons. The brass of all these vessels was without 
weight. ^\nd they took Seraiah the chief priest, and other 
priests, and five men of them that were in the king's presence, 
and the scribe, and the captain which mustered the people of 
the land, and three score men of the people that were found in 
the city, and brought them to the king of Babylon. And the 
king of Babylon put them to death. — So Judah was carried 
away out of his land. 

As for the people that were left in the land of Judah, 
whom Nebuchadnezzar had left, over them he placed Gedaliah. 
'And the king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah 
to Xebuzar-adan the captain, saying, Take him., and look well 
to him, and do him no harm ; but do unto him even as he shall 
say unto thee. So Xebuzar-adan sent and took Jeremiah out 
of the court of the prison, and said unto him. 'The Lord thy 
God hath brought this evil upon this place, as He had said, 
because ye have sinned against the Lord, and have not obeyed 
His voice. And now, behold, I loose thee from the chains 
which are upon thine hand. If it seem ill unto thee to come 
with me into Babylon, behold, all the land is before thee : 
whither it seemeth good unto thee to go, thither go. So the 
captain gave him victuals and a present, and let him go. *Then 
went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah to ]\Iizpah. and dwelt among the 
people that were left in the land. 

And Jeremiah wept and lamented : ^How doth the city sit 
solitary that was full of people! The ways of Zion do mourn, 
because none come to the feasts : all her gates are desolate : her 
priests do sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she herself is in 
bitterness; for the Lord had afflicted her for the multitude of 
her transgressions. Hear all ye nations and behold my sor- 
row, because the young children and the sucklings swoon in 
the streets of the city. They say to their mothers, Where is 
corn? when their soul is poured out into their mothers' bosom. 
Woe unto us ! for we have sinned. ^'But Thou, O Lord, abid- 



B. C. 588. EZEKIEL AMONG THE CAPTIVES. 163 

eth forever ; Thy throne is from generation to generation ; 
wherefore dost Thou forget us forever? Turn Thou us unto 
Thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned ; renew our days as of 
old. 

^ What took place when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem again? 
^ What was the fate of the fleeing king ? 

• What fate befell the temple and the city ? 
*What booty did the Chaldeans take with them? 

° What was aone with the priests and the officers of Zedekiah? 

^ What was Nebuchadnezzar's command to his captain in regard 

to Jeremiah ? 
'What did the captain say unto him? 

• Where did the prophet go after he had been set free ? 

• How did the prophet lament ? 
" What was his prayer ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. One must be true even to his enemies, if the favor of God and 
man is not to be lost. Nebuchadnezzar had made Zedekiah king (2 
Kings 24: 17), but he broke their covenant and revolted. 

2. The word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in 
faithfulness ( Ps. 33 : 4 ) . The prophecy of Isaiah and his declaration 
to Hezekiah was fulfilled literally, (Isa. 35: 9. ss.) 

3. No one feels it more keenly when God punishes an obstinate 
people, than those who have given warning and whose warning was 
not heeded. 

4. It is a thousand times better to confess one's sins and voluntar- 
ily to humble oneself before God, than to be humbled by Him. Judali 
would not have suffered so severely if he had confessed his iniquity and 
submitted to Nebuchadnezzar, as Jeremiah had so earnestly desired. 



Jesus, my Lord, I look to Thee: 
Where else can helpless sinners go? 

Thy boundless love shall set me free 
From all my wretchedness and woe. 



72. EZEKIEL AMONG THE CAPTIVES. 

Ezekiel 1-48. 

When Jerusalem after its last siege, had been made a 
heap of ruins by the king of Babylon, there were already for 
eighteen years many captives in Babylon, where, according to 
the word of God they were to remain seventy years. ^The cap- 
tives were permitted to settle here; they had houses and gar- 



164 EZEKIEL AMONG THE CAPTIVES. B. C. 588. 

dens and fared very well. ^But they longed, oh, so deeply, 

for the land of their fathers and tearfully remembered the 

temple of the Lord, and sang many a song of lamentation. 

They sang 

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. 
Yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. 

Upon the willows in the midst thereof we hanged up our harps. 
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her 
cunning (Ps. 137). 

And the Lord, their God, raised up prophets for them, 
*Thus arose Ezekiel, a captive, the son of a priest, when Jeru- 
salem was not yet destroyed, and proclaimed the impending 
end of Jerusalem ; ^for many were dreaming of an early re- 
turn to their native land. They would not submit to the word 
of the Lord, according to which they were to remain in Baby- 
lon for seventy years. And the Lord said unto Ezekiel, ^I send 
thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation ; they are 
impudent and stiffhearted. Whether they will hear, or whether 
they will forbear, yet shall they know that there hath been a 
prophet among them. 'And thou, son of man, take thee a tile, 
and portray upon it the city of Jerusalem : and lay a siege 
against it and build forts against it, and cast up a mount 
against it, and plant battering rams against it round about. 
And take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of 
iron between thee and the city, and shalt lay siege against it 
and prophesy against Jerusalem that is besieged. Thou, son 
of man, thus saith the Lord, 'An end is come, the end is come : 
it awaketh against thee ; behold it is come. An evil, an only 
evil behold it cometh. The day of trouble is near, and not 
the sounding again of the mountains of Jerusalem. Xow will 
I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and will judge thee 
according to thy ways ; and ye shall know, that I the Lord 
do smite. Behold the day, behold, it cometh : the morning is 
gone forth. Make the chain, for the land is full of bloody 
crimes, and the city full of violence. 

And the word of the Lord came unto Ezekiel saying, Son 
of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this selfsame 
day : the king of Babylon drew close unto Jerusalem this self- 
same day. And the hand of the Lord hath been upon Ezekiel. 
in the evening to the morning ; and his mouth was opened, that 
he was no more dumb. And the word of the Lord came unto 
him, saying. They shall know that I am the Lord, when I have 



B. C. 585. DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS. 165 

made the land a desolation. ^Thy people are talking against 
thee, and speak one to another, Come and hear what is the 
word that cometh from the Lord ; and they sit before thee and 
hear thy words, but do them not : for they make jests, but their 
hearts goeth after their gain. And, lo, thou art unto them as a 
song. '"But when this cometh, (behold it cometh) then shall 
they know that a prophet hath been among them. "And on 
that day came one that had escaped out of Jerusalem saying, 
The city is smitten. 

^How long a time were the first captives in Babylon, when Jeru- 
salem was destroyed? (Compare 2 Kings 24: 14 ss. ) 
' How did they fare in Babylon ? 
"Yet what was their longing? 

• Which prophet arose among them ? 
•What were many of the captives thinking? 

• What did the Lord say unto Ezekiel ? 

''How did he symbolize the siege of Jerusalem? 

• How did he describe its coming destruction ? 
•How did the people treat the prophet? 

^° Yet what were they to know ? 

" What news was brought the selfsame day ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. We often fail to appreciate things we possess; but if we lose 
them, we long for them as did the captive Jews for their temple, to 
behold the beauty of the Lord (Ps. 27: 4). 

2. A faithful servant of God cannot and dare not cease to testify 
of God and His word, though men make jests of him and mock him in 
their songs. They shall know that a prophet hath been among them 
and shall have no excuse. 



How oft, alas, this wretched heart has wandered from the Lord! 
How oft my roving thoughts depart forgetful of His word! — 
Thy pardoning love, so free, so sweet, dear Saviour, I adore; 
Oh! keep me at thy sacred feet and let me rove no more. 



73. DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS. 

Dan. 1. 

^King Nebuchadnezzar commanded that youths of the 
children of Israel be brought who were well favored, wise, and 
cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and able 
to stand in the king's palace. ^The king appointed for them 



166 DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS. B. C 585. 

a daily portion of his meat, and of the wine which he drank: 
that they should be nourished three years and thereafter stand 
before the king. "^Among these were Daniel, Shadrach, Me- 
shach and Abed-nego. *But Daniel purposed, that he would 
not defile himself with the kings' meat, and requested of the 
chief of the chamberlains that he might not defile himself. 
Now God made Daniel to find favor and compassion in the 
sight of the chief of the chamberlains. And he said unto 
Daniel, ^I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat 
and your drinks : for should he see your faces worse liking 
than the youths which are of your own age, then shall ye make 
me endanger my head to the king. 

Then said Daniel, ^Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten 
days ; and let them give us pulse to eat and water to drink : 
and as thou seest, deal with thy servant. So he hearkened 
unto them, and proved them ten days. ^And at the end of ten 
days their countenances appeared fairer and they were fatter 
in flesh than all the youths which did eat of the king's meat. 
'And God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and 
wisdom : and Daniel had understanding in all visions and 
dreams. And at the end of the days, the chief of the chamber- 
lains brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. *And the king 
communed with them; and among them all was found none 
like Daniel, Shadrach Meschach and Abed-nego ; therefore 
stood they before the king. "And in every matter of wisdom 
and understanding, concerning which the king enquired of 
them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians 
and enchanters that were in his realm. 

^Who of the youths of Israel were chosen at the 'lomTnand of 
Xebuchadnezzar ? 

* How and for what purpose were they to be educated ? 
' Who received especial mention ? 

*What had Daniel purposed? 

" What fears did the chief of the chamberlains express ? 

•What was Daniel's reply? 

^ How did the youths appear after the ten days ? 

* What especial gifts did God give them ? 

* What was their reputation ? 
"How did the king find them? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Gold remains gold, even when trod into the dust. Pious and 
gifted young people are sought and esteemed in our days as well. 



B. C. 563. DANIEL INTERPRETS NEBUCHADNEZZ A.R'S DREAM. 167 

2. It is always a fine honor for pious people to remain true to 
their religious convictions. Daniel and his friends desired even in a 
strange land to do nothing against the precepts of their religion. 

3. The opinion that an exact observance of religious duties will 
result in temporal losses, is indeed scattered widely ; yet it is erroneous. 
Observe Daniel and his friends. 



May we Thy precepts, Lord, fulfill, 
To do on earth our Father's will, 



As angels do above. 



74. DANIEL INTERPRETS NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S 

DREAM. 

Dan. 2. 

King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and his spirit was 
troubled and his sleep brake from him. Then the king com- 
manded to call the magicians and wise men; and he said unto 
them, ^I have dreamed a dream and my spirit is troubled to 
know the dream. ^Then answered they the king and said, 
There is not a man upon the earth, that can shew the king's 
matter. ^Then the .king was very angry, and commanded to 
destroy all the wise men of Babylon. And they sought Daniel 
and his companions to be slain. *Then Daniel desired of the 
king that he would appoint him a time, and he would shew 
the king the interpretation. ^Then Daniel went to his house and 
made the thing known to his three companions, that they would 
desire mercies of God concerning this secret, that they would 
not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. ^Then was 
the secret revealed unto Daniel in a vision of the night. Then 
Daniel blessed the God of heaven and said, Blessed be the 
name of God forever and ever ; He giveth wisdom unto the 
wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding; He 
revealeth the secret things ; He knoweth what is in the dark- 
ness, and the light dwelleth in Him. And Daniel went in and 
said, God in heaven revealeth secrets ; He hath made known 
to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. 
^This was thy dream and thy vision. Thou, O king, sawest 
and behold a great image whose aspect was terrible. As for 
this image, his head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms 
of silver, his body and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, 



168 DANIEL INTERPRETS NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM. B. C. 563. 

his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a 
stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon 
his feet that were of iron and clay and brake them in pieces. 
And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, 
and filled the whole earth. 

This is the interpretation thereof. ^Thou, O king, art the 
head of gold. After thee shall arise another kingdom inferior 
to thee. Thereafter the third kingdom of brass, which shall 
bear rule over all the earth. The fourth shall be strong as 
iron ; it shall at last be a divided kingdom, and partly strong 
and partly broken. \4}id in the days of those kings shall the 
God of heaven set up a kingdom, zvhich shall never he de- 
stroyed, and the kingdom shall not he left to other people, 
hut it shall hreak in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, 
and it shall stand forever. '"Then Nebuchadnezzar fell upon 
his face, and said, Of a truth, your God is the God of gods, and 
a revealer of secrets. ''Then the king made Daniel great, and 
made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to 
be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. '^And 
Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, 
Meshach, and Abed-nego over the province of Babylon : but 
Daniel was in the gate of the king. 

^ What did Xebuchadnezzar say to the wise men of his country? 
^ What was their reply? 

* What did the king command in his anger? 

* What did Daniel request of him? 
» What did Daniel do then ? 

® What happened after their prayer ? 

^ How did Daniel relate the king's dream to him? 

*How did he interpret the dream? 

'Which of the kingdoms was declared to be the most mighty? 
"What did Nebuchadnezzar do now? 
" How did he reward Daniel ? 
^What did Daniel do? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. Not all dreams are idle. God has at all times spoken to 
men by dreams and visions, now to arouse them, now to instruct 
and comfort them. 

2. It is the greatest wrong to require of men what God alone 
can do. Such Xebuchadnezzars may be found today, and even in the 
church of God. 

3. Our God is a wonderful God. He revealed centuries before, 



B. C. 560. THE THREE MEN IN THE BURNING FIERY FURNACE. 169 

and even to a pagan king, the kingdom of Christ, its coming, power 
and glory. (Comg^ Isa. 9: 6, 7.) 

4. He who has received uncommon gifts from God and ascribes 
all glory to Him in all things, is a humble and grateful person (1 Cor. 
15: 10). 



Jesus shall reign where'er the sun 
Does his successive journeys run; 
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, 
Till moons shall wax and v/ane no more. 



-O- 



75. THE THREE MEN IN THE BURNING FIERY 

FURNACE. 

Dan. 3. 

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose 
height was three score cubits, and the breadth thereof six 
cubits ; and Svhoso feh not down and worshiped before it, was 
to be cast the same hour into a burning fiery iurnace. At that 
time certain men came near, and accused the Jews, saying, 
"Thou, O king, hast made a decree that every man shall wor- 
ship the golden image. Now there are certain Jews, Shad- 
rach, Meschach, and Abed-nego ; they have not regarded thee : 
they worship not the golden image. 'Then Nebuchadnezzar 
in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, 
and Abed-nego ; and he said. If ye worship not, ye shall be cast 
the same hour into a burning fiery furnace. Who is that God 
that shall deliver you out of my hands ? They answered, *Our 
God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us. But if He will not, 
be it known unto thee, that we will not serve thy gods, nor 
worship the golden image. ^Then was Nebuchadnezzar full 
of fury, and commanded that they should heat the furnace 
seven times more than it was wont to be heated, and to bind 
them and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then 
these men were bound in their mantles, their hosen, and their 
hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the burning 
fiery furnace. And the furnace was so exceeding hot, that the 
flame of the fire slew those men that were to burn them. 

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king said unto his counsellors, 
"Did we not cast three men bound into the furnace? Lo, I see 
four men loose walking in the fire, and they have no hurt, and 
the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods. Then Nebu- 



THE FALL OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR. B. C. 560. 

chadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery fur- 
nace, and said, 'Ye servants of the most high God, come forth 
and come hither. 'Then they came forth out of the fire ; and the 
fire had no power upon the bodies of these men, nor was an 
hair singed, neither were their mantles changed, nor had the 
smell of fire passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said,^ 
'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, 
who hath sent His angel, and delivered His servants that 
trusted in Him. 

* What was Nebuchadnezzar's command in respect to his image ? 

^What complaint was brought before the king? 

' What did the king say to the accused ? 

*What w^as their reply? 

° What did the king command then ? 

' What did he say afterward to his counsellors ? 

^ How did he address the men in the furnace ? 

®What was their condition when they came forth? 

' What did the king say now ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Do not worship the golden idols of the world, let them be ever 
so high and ever so wide; for whoever conceives or has something else 
instead of the one true God, on which to place his trust, commits idol- 
atry. 

2. The hatred of foreigners has produced much harm. Because 
these three Jewish youths were foreigners and had achieved great hon- 
ors, their grudgers try to overthrow them and misused their religious 
convictions for this purpose. 

3. The believers have a God who works wonders and says unto 
them, " When thou walkest through fire, thou shalt not be burned.''" 
(Isa. 43: 2.) 



When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie. 
My grace, all-sufiicient, shall be thy supply; 
The flame shall not hurt thee: I only design 
Thy dfoss to consume, and thy gold to refine. 



76. THE FALL OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR. 

Dan. 4. 

^Nebuchadnezzar the king had a dream, but all the wise 
men of Babylon could not interpret it, until Daniel came. And 
the king said, ^I saw and behold a tree in the midst of the 



B. C. 560. THE FALL OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR. 171 

earth, which was very high, and large, and thick; the height 
thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end 
of all the earth: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, 
and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the branches thereof. 
"And, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from 
heaven ; he cried. Hew down the tree, and cut of his branches,, 
shake off his leaves : let all the beasts get away from under it, 
and the fowls from his branches. Nevertheless leave the stump 
of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass 
in the grass of the field ; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, 
and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth. 
Let his heart be changed from a man's and let a beast's heart 
be given unto him ; and let seven times pass over him. *This 
is by the decree of the watchers, that the living may know that 
the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and He giveth 
it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the lowest of 
men. 

■^Then Daniel answered and said, It is thou, O king, that 
art grown and become strong; thy dominion reacheth to the 
end of the earth. Thou shalt be driven from men, and thy 
dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; thou shalt be 
made to eat grass as oxen, and shalt be wet with the dew of 
heaven, ^till thou know that the most High ruleth in the king- 
dom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will. And 
whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots ; 
thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after thou shalt have 
known that the heavens do rule. ^Wherefore, O king, let my 
counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by 
righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the 
poor; and He will have patience with thy sins. 

All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 'At the end 
of twelve months he was walking in the palace of the kingdom 
of Babylon ; and he spake, and said. Is not this the great Baby- 
k)n, which I have built by the might of my power^ and for the 
glory of my majesty? While the word was in the king's 
mouth, there fell a voice from heaven. The kingdom is de- 
parted from thee. "The same hour was the thing fulfilled 
upon Nebuchadnezzar : and he was driven from men, and did 
eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of 
•heaven, till his hair was grown like eagles' feathers, and his 
nails like birds' claws. "At the end of the days Nebuchad- 



172 



BELSHAZZAR AND THE REDUCTION OF BABYLON. B. C. 539. 



nezzar lifted up his eyes unto heaven, and his understanding 
returned unto him, and he blessed the most High. x\nd his 
counsellors and his lords sought him, and established him in 
his kingdom, and majesty was added unto him. Wherefore 
Nebuchadnezzar extolled the King of heaven and said, "x\ll his 
works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk 
in pride He is able to abase. 

^ Who interpreted tlie king's second dream ? 

*How did he relate his dream to Daniel? 

'What did the holy watcher cry out? 

*Why was this decreed in the counsel of the watchers? 

^ How did Daniel interpret the king's dream ? 

® Why was Nebuchadnezzar to be abased so deeply? 

^ What did Daniel advise ? 

* When was the dream fulfilled ? 

^ What followed upon his bragging? 
^° Into what condition did he sink? 
^^ What happened thereafter? 
^ What does he now confess of God ? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. Rich and mighty people are not always the happiest; they are 
frequently put into great disquiet by distressing dreams. 

2. Though vain people spread themselves like large, thick trees 
whose height reaches the heavens, yet they can never thrust God from 
His throne, but He can humble them. 



Be Thou, God. exalted high; 
And as Thy glory fills the sky, 
So let it be on earth displayed, 
Till Thou art here and there obeyed. 



^y. KING BELSH.\ZZAR AXD THE REDUCTION OF 

BABYLON. 

Dan. 5. 

After the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar was king 
in Babylon. ^He made a great feast to a thousand of his lords 
and drank wine before them. 'Whiles he tasted the wine, he 
commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which Neb- 
uchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusa- 
lem ; that the king, and his lords, and his wives might drink 
therein. And as they drank therein, they praised the gods of 



B. C. 539. BELSHAZZAR AND THE REDUCTION OF BABYLON. 173 

gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. 
In the same hour came forth the fingers of a man's hand, and 
wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the 
wall of the king's palace. And the king saw the part of the 
hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, 
and his thoughts troubled him, and his knees smote one against 
another. And the king cried with might to bring in the wise 
men, and the soothsayers ; but they could not read the writing, 
nor make known to the king the interpretation. *Then was 
king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was 
changed in him, and his lords were perplexed. Then the 
queen said, ^There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the 
spirit of the holy gods, namely Daniel. Now let Daniel be 
called, and he will show the interpretation. 

Then was Daniel brought in before the king. "And Daniel 
spoke before the king. O thou king, the most high God gave 
Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and 
glory, and majesty : and because of the greatness that He gave 
him, all the peoples feared him. But when his heart was lifted 
up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from 
his kingly throne, and was driven from the sons of men, and 
his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with 
the wild asses, and ate grass like oxen, and his body was wet 
with the dew of heaven : — until he knew that the most high 
God ruleth in the kingdom of men, and that He setteth up over 
it whomsoever He will. 'And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast 
not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; but 
hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they 
have brought the vessels of His house before thee, and thou, 
and thy lords, and thy wives have drunk in them. Then was 
this hand sent before Him, and this writing was inscribed. 
*And this is the writing that was inscribed, Mene, Mene, that 
is : God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end. 
Tekel, Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found want- 
ing. Peres : Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes 
and Persians. 'In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean king 
was slain, for in that night the army of the Medes and Per- 
sians took the city, and the king and all his princes were mur- 
dered. '"And Cyrus became king of Babylon, and Daniel had 
great power under him. 

^What did Belshazzar, the successor of Nebuchadnezzar, do? 



174 THE RETURN OUT OF CAPTIVITY. B. C. 536. 

* How did lie sin still more ? 

' What happened in that same hour ? 

* How did it affect the king ? 

" What did the queen say to him ? 

"What did Daniel say when he was brought in before the king? 
"^ Of what did Daniel accuse him ? 
® What was the writing inscribed on the wall ? 
® What took place in that night ? 
" Who became king in Belshazzar's place ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. No matter how hignly lifeless idols may be praised, they will 
Ije of no avail when distress and troubles come. (Ps. 115: 3-8.) 

2. The rejoicing of the godless lasts only a short time. A mere 
hand — a shadow on the wall — may change it to mourning. 

3. He who fails to waich, and yields to sensuality, will become 
a prey of .his enemy. " \Mien they are saying, Peace and safety; then 
sudden destruction cometh upon them" (1 Thess. 5: 3). 



God eternal, Lord of all! 

Lowly at Thy feet we fall: 
All the world doth worship Thee; 

We amidst the throng would be; 
All the holy angels cry, 

Hail, thrice holy, God most high! 
Lord of all the heavenly pow'rs, 

Be the same loud anthem ours. 



78. THE RETURN OUT OF CAPTIVITY. 

Ezra 1-6. 

*In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of 
the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished 
(25: II ss.), the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of 
Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his king- 
dom, and put it also in writing, saying, ^All the kingdoms of 
the earth hath the Lord, the God of heaven given me ; and he 
hath charged me to build Him an house in Jerusalem. Who- 
soever there is among you. of all His people, his God be with 
tiim, and let him go up to Jerusalem, and build the house of 
the Lord, the God of Israel. And whosoever is left in any 
place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him 
with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, 
beside the freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem. 



B. C. 536. THE RETURN OUT OF CAPTIVITY. 175 

^Then rose up the heads of father's houses of Judah and Ben- 
jamin, and the priests and Levites, even all wliose spirit God 
had stirred, to go up to build the house of the Lord in Jerusa- 
lem. *And all they that were round about them strengthened 
their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and 
with beasts, and with precious things. 

"Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house 
of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of 
Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods : thirty 
chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and 
twenty knives, thirty bowls of gold, silver bowls of a second 
sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand. All 
the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four 
hundred. ^The whole congregation together was forty and 
two thousand three hundred and three score, beside their men- 
servants, and their maidservants, of whom there were seven 
thousand three hundred thirty and seven : and they had two 
hundred singing men and singing women, seven hundred thirty 
and six horses, two hundred forty and five mules, four hundred 
thirty and five camels, and six thousand seven hundred and 
twenty asses. 

And when they came to the house of the Lord in Jerusa- 
lem, they offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in 
its place ; and they gave after their ability into the treasury of 
the work. ^Tliey gave money also unto the masons, and to the 
carpenters ; and meat, and drink and oil, unto them of Zidon, 
and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the 
sea unto Joppa, according to the grant that they had of 
Cyrus king of Persia. ^In the second year of their coming unto 
the house of God at Jerusalem, began Zerubbabel and Jeshua, 
and the priests, and appointed the Levites from twenty years 
and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the house 
of the Lord. ^And when the builders laid the foundation of 
the temple of the Lord, they set the priests with trumpets, and 
the Levites with cymbals, to praise the Lord. -And they sang 
one to another in praising, and giving thanks unto the Lord, 
because He is good, and His mercy endureth forever toward 
Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when 
they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of 
the Lord was laid. "^"But many of the old men that had seen 
the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid 



176 QUEEN ESTHER. B. 0. 479. 

before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted 
aloud for joy, so that the people could not discern the noise 
of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people. 

^ What prophecy was fulfilled through Cyrus ? 
^ What was the proclamation of King Cyrus ? 
^ Who went first to Jerusalem ? 
* How were they supported by their neighbors ? 
° What did Cyrus give them ? 
® How many went up together ? 

^ What did they do to advance the building of the temple? 
® What was done in the second year after their arrival? 
" W'hat took place when the foundation was laid? 
" How were their different feelings expressed ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Many a one who is stirred up fails to do what God demands of 
him; Cyrus, however, did, when the Lord had stirred him up, and for 
this reason he is called a servant of the Lord. 

2. Robbed and stolen goods should be returned; Cyrus did so, 
though he was a pagan; yet many a one who is not a pagan fails to do 

BO. 

3. Who would not weep, if, after many years, he returned to Ms 
former place of worship and found it in ruins? 



Jerusalem God's dwelling place! 

I love and long to see; 
Oh, that my sorrows had an end, 

That I might dwell in thee. 



79. QUEEN ESTHER. 

^King Ahasuerus of Persia made a feast unto all his 
princes and unto all the people, and commanded to bring 
Vashti the queen to shew her beauty. But the queen refused 
to come. Therefore the king was very wroth, and com- 
manded, that Vashti come no more before the king. There was 
a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai, and he brought up 
Esther who was a maiden fair and beautiful. ^And king Ahas- 
uerus loved Esther and made her queen. And Esther shewed 
not her kindred nor people, as Mordecai had charged her. 
After these things did Ahasuerus promote Haman, and all the 
king's servants bowed down and reverenced Haman ; but Mor- 
decai did not reverence him. ^And Haman was full of wrath 



B. C. 479. QUEEN ESTHER. 177 

and sought to destroy all the Jews. And the king said, Do as 
it seemeth good to thee. "And letters were sent by posts into 
all the provinces to destroy all Jews, both young and old, little 
children and women, in one day. 

And in every province there was great mourning among 
the Jews. "^And Mordecai sent unto queen Esther and charged 
her that she should go in unto the king. Then Esther gave a 
message to Mordecai, 'that whosoever shall come unto the king, 
who is not called, must die. Then Mordecai returned answer 
unto Esther, Think not that thou shalt escape ; who knoweth 
whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as 
this ? Then Esther returned this answer, ^Fast ye for me three 
days and three nights, and I will go in unto the king. If I 
perish, I perish. On the third day Esther put on her royal ap- 
parel, and stood in the court of the king's house. When the 
king saw Esther standing, she obtained favor. So Esther drew 
near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king, 
"What is thy request ? it shall be given thee even to the half of 
the kingdom. Esther said. If it seem good unto the king, let 
the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have 
prepared. Now when the king and Haman came to the ban- 
quet, the king said. What is thy petition, Esther? it shall be 
granted thee. Then answered Esther, "If I have found favor, 
let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall pre- 
pare for them. Then went Haman forth glad of heart, and 
said, "The queen did let no man come but myself, and tomor- 
row also am I invited by her together with the king. Yet all 
this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew 
sitting at the king's gate. ''^Then said his wife and his friends, 
Let a gallows be made, and in the morning speak thou unto the 
king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon. And the thing 
pleased Haman ; and he caused a gallows to be made. 

'"On that night could not the king sleep, and he com- 
manded to bring the chronicles. And it was found, that Mor- 
decai had told of two chamberlains, who had sought to lay 
hands on the king. And the king said, What honor and dignity 
hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then they answered. 
There is nothing done for him. And when Haman came, the 
king said, "What shall be done unto the man whom the king 
delighteth to honor? Now Haman thought. To whom would 
the king delight to honor more than to myself ? ^^And Haman 
12 



178 QUEEN ESTHER. B. C. 479. 

said, Let the man be arrayed with royal apparel and a crown 
royal set upon his head, and cause him to ride on the horse 
that the king rideth upon, and bring him through the city, and 
proclaim before him. Thus shall it be done to the man whom 
the king delighteth to honor. "Then the king said to Haman, 
Make haste, and do even so to Mordecai. Haman did so, and 
then hasted to his house mourning. But the chamberlains 
came, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther 
had prepared. 

When the king came with Haman to the banquet, he said 
unto Esther, What is thy petition, that it be given thee ? Then 
Esther said, "Let my life be given me, and my people. For we 
are sold, to be destroyed. Then said the king. Where is he, 
that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, 
^"^The adversary is this wicked Haman. '''And the king arose 
in his wrath. Then one of the chamberlains said. Behold also 
the gallows fifty cubits high, which he hath made for Mordecai, 
standeth in the house of Haman. And the king said. Hang 
him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows. And 
the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, 
and gave it unto Mordecai, and said, Write ye also to the Jews, 
as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's 
ring. ^"And posts on horseback, and on mules rode swiftly 
according to the command of the king, to the Jews and the 
governors in all the provinces, from India unto Ethiopia, an 
hundred and twenty and seven provinces ; in the day that the 
enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them, it was 
turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that 
hated them. And Mordecai was great in the king's house, 
and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces. 

^Why was Queen Vashti rejected? 

*Whom did Ahasuerus then make queen? 

"What had Haman planned to do, because Mordecai would not 

reverence him? 
*What command had he issued with the consent of the king? 
° What was Mordecai's request of Esther ? 
"What answer did he receive? 

^ What did Esther say when Mordecai sent word to her again ? 
"How did the king receive her? 
® What did the king say to her? 
^''What was Esther's reply the second time? 
" What were Haman's remarks to his friends ? 
" What was their advice ? 



B. C. 515. EZRA. 179 

^^What happened the same night? 

" What did the king say to Haman ? 

^^ What was Haman's reply ? 

^® What did the king command him to do ? 

" What was Esther's request of the king in the presence of Haman ? 

^^ Whom did Esther name as her adversary, upon the king's inquiry ? 

^ What was done with Haman ? 

*°How did the Jews fare thereafter? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The same Lord humbles one person and elevates another. We 
see this plainly in Vashti and Esther, as well as in Haman and Mor- 
decai. (Luke 1 : 52.) 

2. We ought to be ready to sacrifice our lives for our brethren. 
Who knows whether you will not succeed in saving some, if you dare to 
do like Esther? 



In each event of life, how clear 

Thy ruling hand I see! 
Each blessing to my soul more dear 

Because conferred by Thee. 
In every joy that crowns my days, 

In every pain I bear. 
My heart shall find delight in praise. 

Or seek relief in prayer. 



8o. EZRA. 
Ezra 7-10. 

Ezra was a ready scribe. And there went up with him 
some of the children of Israel unto Jerusalem. Now this is 
a copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes (Xerxes) gave 
unto Ezra the priest and scribe : '" I make a decree that the 
children of Israel in my realm, which are minded of their own 
free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee, and to carry the sil- 
ver and gold which the king and his counsellors have free- 
ly offered unto the God of Israel with the freewill offer- 
ing of the people, and of the priests, for the house 
of their God which is in Jerusalem. ^Take all this 
that thou mayest buy speedily with this money, bullocks, 
rams, lambs, and offer them upon the altar of the house of 
your God which is in Jerusalem. And whatsoever shall seem 
good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the 



]80 EZRA. B.C. 515, 

money, that do ye after the will of your God. ^And whatso- 
ever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, bestow 
it out of the king's treasure house. "And thou, Ezra, after the 
wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, appoint magistrates 
and judges, which may judge all the people, all such as know 
the laws of thy God, and teach ye them that know them not." 

And Ezra relates, I was strengthened according to the 
hand of the Lord my God upon me, and I gathered together 
out of Israel chief men to go up with me. ^Then I proclaimed 
a fast, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek 
of Him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for 
all our substance. For I was ashamed to ask of the king a 
band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in 
the way, ^because we had said unto the king. The hand of our 
God is upon all them that seek Him, for good. So we fasted 
and besought our God for this : and he was intreated of us. 
'And the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us 
from the hand of the enemy and the lier in wait by the way. 
And we came to Jerusalem, and weighed the silver and the 
gold and the vessels in the house of our God, and offered burnt 
offerings unto the God of Israel, and delivered the king's com- 
mission unto the governors. 

*And the princes drew near to me, saying. The people of 
Israel have not separated themselves from the heathen, for 
they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their 
sons. When I heard this thing, I rent my garment, and sat 
down astonied. Then were assembled unto me every one that 
trembled at the words of God ; and I sat astonied until the 
evening sacrifice. And at the evening sacrifice I rose up from 
my humiliation, and fell upon my knees, and spread out my 
hands unto the Lord my God, and I said, ^O my God, I am 
ashamed and blush to lift up my face to Thee, mv God ; our 
guiltiness is grown up unto the heavens. For our iniquities 
have we, our kings, and our priests been delivered to the 
sword and to captivity. Wouldst Thou be angry with us till 
Thou hadst consumed us? 

Now while Ezra prayed and wept before the house of 
God, all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves 
together unto him unto Jerusalem, and all the people sat in the 
broad place before the house of God, trembling because of this 
matter, and for the great rain. And Ezra stood up and said 



B. C. 445. NEHEMIAH. 181 

tinto them, ^"Ye have trespassed, and have married strange 
women, to increase the guilt of Israel. Now therefore make 
confession unto the Lord, and do His pleasure: and separate 
yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the strange 
women. "Then all the congregation answered and said with 
a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do. 

^ What are the contents of the letter which Ezra received from the 

king? 
^ What was Ezra to do with the presents? 
^ What else had the king promised him ? 
^ How was he to establish order ? 

* Why did he proclaim a fast ? 

*Why was he unwilling to ask for an escort from the king? 
^ How did he fare on the way ? 

* What did the princes say to Ezra when he arrived? 
"How did Ezra pray to the Lord? 

^^^ What did he say to the assembled congregation? 
^^ What was the congregation's answer ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The example of a heathen king who contributed such large 
sums for the building of the temple, puts to shame many Christians 
who contribute so little for the erection of their houses of worship, 
and who forget that God requires that the ministry of the gospel and 
the schools be maintained. 

2. How carefully Ezra tried to defend the honor of his God! 
Because he had told the king, " The hand of our God is upon all them 
that seek Him," he was ashamed to ask for a band of soldiers and 
horsemen and to put his trust in men. 



My Father's house on high! Home of my soul, how near, 
At times, to faith's foreseeing eye Thy golden gates appear. 
Ah ! then my spirit faints to reach the land I love, 
The bright inheritance of saints, Jerusalem above. 



8i. NEHEMIAH. 

^Nehemiah, one of the captives of the people of Israel was 
the butler of Artaxerxes the king, and he was in Shushan the 
palace. Hanani and certain men out of Judah came to him. 
And Nehemiah asked them concerning Jerusalem. And they 
said, ^The Jews there are in great affliction : the wall of Jeru- 
salem is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with 
fire. 'When he heard these words, he sat down and wept, and 



182 NEHEMIAH. B. C. 445. 

mourned two days, and fasted, and prayed before God, and 
said, O Lord the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant 
and mercy with them that love Him, and keep His com- 
mandments, hearken unto the prayer of Thy servant, which I 
pray before Thee at this time, day and night, while I confess the 
sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against 
Thee : yea I and my fathers' house have sinned. Remember, 
I beseech Thee the word that Thou commandedst Thy servant 
Closes, If ye return unto me, though your outcasts were in 
the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from 
thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen. 

And Xehemiah stood before Artaxerxes the king, and \vas 
sad in his presence. And the king said unto him, Why is 
th}- countenance sad ? Then Xehemiah was sore afraid and he 
said unto the king. "Let the king live for ever : why should 
not my countenance be sad? The city of my fathers lieth 
waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire. Then 
the king said. For what dost thou make request? And Xehe- 
miah said, ^If it please the king, that thou wouldst send me 
unto the city of my fathers, that I mav rebuild it? And the 
king granted him, and sent with him captains of the army and 
horsemen. 

^-\nd when Nehemiah came to Jerusalem, and was there 
three days, he arose in the night, and some few men with him; 
neither told he any what God put into his heart to do for Jeru- 
salem : neither was there any beast with him, save the one he 
rode upon. And he went out by night by the valley gate and 
went on to the fountain gate, and to the king's pool : but there 
was no place for the beast that was under him to pass. Then 
he went up in the night by the brook, and he was sad to see 
the wall so broken and the gates thereof burned with fire : and 
he returned by the valley gate. And he said unto the rulers, 
'Ye see how the city lieth waste : come let us build up its walls. 
And they did so. 

^But when the adversaries of Jerusalem heard it. they 
laughed them to scorn and said. What is this thing that ye do? 
Will ye rebel against the king? And they came and fought 
against Jerusalem. ^But those of Jerusalem prayed unto God, 
and set a watch day and night. And it came to pass, that half 
of the servants wrought in the work, and half of them held the 
spears, the shields, and the bows. Every one that builded the 



B. C. 445. NEHEMIAH. 183 

wall with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the 
other held his weapon. And the builders had their swords 
girded on their loins, and he that sounded the trumpet was by 
Nehemiah. '''And Nehemiah said, We are separated upon the 
wall, one far from another ; in what place soever ye hear the 
trumpet, resort ye thither unto us. Our God shall fight for 
us ; thus will we labor in the work. ''And half of them held the 
spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. 
And neither Nehemiah, nor his servants put off their clothes. 
Nor did Nehemiah demand the bread of the governor, because 
the bondage was heavy upon the people. 

''And when the seventh month was come, all the 
people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad 
place, and Ezra the priest brought the law before the congrega- 
tion both men and women, and all that understood in hearing, 
and read therein from early morning until midday. '^And all 
the people wept when they heard the words of the law. '*But 
Nehemiah and Ezra stilled the people, saying. This day is 
holy unto the Lord; mourn not, nor weep; for the joy of the 
Lord is your strength. '^And all the people made a covenant to 
walk in God's law. 

^ Who was Nehemiah ? 

^ What report did some men bring from Jerusalem ? 

^ What did he do when he heard the report ? 

*What was Nehemiah's reply, when the king inquired why he was 

so sad? 
' What did he request of the king ? 
' In what condition was Jerusalem ? 
^ What did he say to the rulers of the city ? 
* What did their adversaries, the Samaritans, do ? 
® How was the building of the wall continued ? 
^° What precaution did Nehemiah take ? 
" Under what difficulties and want did all work ? 
" What took place in the seventh month ? 

13 What impression did the reading of the law make upon the people? 
^* What did Nehemiah and Ezra do now ? 
" And what did the people do ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. There is a supernatural power in true faith; it makes men 
heroic and ready and willing for every sacrifice. This may be observed 
in Nehemiah. 

2. The builders of the spiritual Jerusalem, the Church of God, 



184 NEHEMIAH. B. C. 445. 

also must battle with adversaries, and be circumspect ; they. too. must, 
therefore, use the sword and the trowel, doctrine and defense, at the 
same time. 

3. Too much sadness weakens the spirit and works discourage- 
ment: on the other hand, rejoicing in the Lord is our strength. But 
he is not strong who is not steadfast in distress. (Prov. 24: 10.) 



Thou on the Lord relv, so safe thou shalt go on: 
Fix on His word thr steadfast eve. so shall thr work be done. 
Xo profit canst thou gain by self-consuming care: 
To Him commend thv cause : His ear attends the softest prayer. 



NEW Testament stories. 

I. BEHOLD, I COME. 

Heb. 1-11. 

The Lord our God from the beginning cared faithfully 
for the children of men. ^For in the earliest times, when Adam 
and Eve had forsaken their God and had to be driven from 
Paradise, they received from the Lord, who is merciful, and 
gracious, and abundant in goodness, a great promise, in which 
the glad tidings were proclaimed, that at some time, another 
Son of Man should come to lead them and their descendants 
into the true Paradise. God had said unto the serpent that had 
beguiled Adam and Eve, ^And I will put enmity between thee 
and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall 
bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel. (3) 

^This word was for the first men and their descendants, 
a glad tidings, a gospel ; it was dear and precious to them, and 
they spake of it to their children and children's children. And 
when in the flood, God the Lord destroyed man from the face 
of the earth, because of their godlessness, and would not hear 
the voice of God, Noah, who alone with his family had been 
saved, preserved the word of promise. *He proclaimed it to his 
sons and said, that the Son of Man, whom God had ordained 
for the salvation of man, was to come from the family of 
Shem : for this was implied in his words, when he spoke to his 
children in the name of God, Blessed be the God of Shem ! (6.) 

And when Noah's descendants had taken possession of 
the earth far and wide, they very soon began to forget the Lord 
their God ; and it almost seemed that no true servant of God 
should be left. Then the Lord our God was merciful and 
chose Abraham, a descendant of Shem; saved him from de- 
struction and revealed His will unto him, as to himself and his 
descendants, for the salvation of the whole world, and said, 
''Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from 
thy father's house, unto the land that I will shew thee. And I 
will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make 

185 



186 "^^^^m BEHOLD I COME. "1^^^ B. C. 1. 

thy name great ; and thou shalt be a blessing, and in thee shall 
all the families of the earth be blessed. (7.) 

^The same promise was given after Abraham to his son 
Isaac, and the venerable fathers v^ere glad in the hope of the 
coming Saviour; they rejoiced that they were to see His day: 
and they saw, and were glad. (John 8 : 56.) And when Jacob 
was about to depart, he gathered his twelve sons around him^ 
and blessed each one with a special blessing; but unto Judah 
he said, Judah, thou art a lion's whelp : from the prey art thou 
gone up. "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor the 
ruler's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and 
unto Him shall the obedience of the people be. (23.) 

All those who regarded the word of God, hoped for this 
Shiloh of the tribe of Judah. And again many a year passed 
by. Then arose Moses the servant of the Lord, who led the 
descendants of Abraham out of Egypt and gave them the law 
of God. He, too, spake at his departure of those great hopes 
of the children of God, and said, *The Lord thy God will raise 
up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren^ 
like unto me ; unto Him shall ye hearken ; and I will put my 
word into His mouth. (36.) 

^ When did God give His first promise unto man ? 

^ What is this promise ? 

^ How did men always esteem this promise ? 

* To whom did Noah communicate this word of promise? 

^What did God say unto Abraham? 

"To whom was this promise given afterward? 

''How did Jacob prophesy of the coming Messiah? 

® Repeat the prophecy of Moses. 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. By promising the Redeemer, God revealed His mercy; at the 
same time he let fallen man understand that he should not remain in 
Bin. 

2. The saints of the old covenant firmly believed the promise of 
the Messiah or Redeemer, and longingly awaited His coming. They 
knew how to comfort themselves with this hope. 



See, dearest Lord, our willing souls 

Accept Thine offered grace: 
We bless the great Redeemer's love 
And give the Father praise. 



B. C. 1. HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID. IST 

2. HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID. 

At the time when a descendant of Abraham, the son of 
Jesse — David by name — of the tribe of Judah, was king over 
Israel, the Lord continued to give another great promise; for 
the children of man could not be reminded too often of the 
coming of the Saviour. David had intended to build the Lord 
a temple ; but the Lord said, Thou shalt not build me a temple. 
Yet at this time David received a word of God from Nathan 
the prophet, saying. Thou shalt not build me a temple. But 
Nathan the prophet brought David the word of the Lord, say- 
ing, 'When thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy 
fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, and I will establish 
his kingdom; he shall build an house for my name, and I will 
establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his 
father, and he shall be my son. (51.) ^From that time on 
David and his holy singers sang of this coming king, who 
was called the son of David'). And all the prophets that arose 
after that time, always spoke of the coming of this king. 

Isaiah the prophet saw Him in spirit as already born, and 
cried out saying, "^Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is 
given : and the government shall be upon his shoulder : and his 
name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, 
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace ; of the increase of His 
government and of peace there shall be no end'). And Micah 
the prophet saw the birthplace of the great Son of David and 
said, *But thou, Bethlehem Ephrata, which art little to be 
among the thousands in Judah, out of thee shall come forth 
unto me that is to be ruler in Israel : whose goings forth are 
from of old, from everlasting'). 

Jeremiah the prophet called Him, ^The Lord is our right- 
eousness*). ^Ezekiel called Him the one shepherd^). Daniel 
prophesied of His eternal kingdom^). Zechariah proclaimed the 
future entrance of the Messiah into the city of David^). Haggai 
exclaimed, Yet once, it is a little while, and called Him the 
desire of all nations^). And about four hundred years before 
the birth of the son of David, Malachi the last prophet said. 
Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way 
before me. ^And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come 
to His temple, and the messenger of the covenant whom ye de- 
light in^). Yet what shall we say further ? Our time would be 



188 . ZACHARIAS AND ELISABETH. B. 0. 1. 

too short, if we should speak of all the many glorious prophe- 
cies of the prophets ; they all cried out and still cry, ^Arise, 
shine ; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen 
upon thee^°) . 

i)Ps. 2: 45, 72, 110.— 2*)Isa. 9: 6, 7, s 69.— ^)Micah 5: 1, s 69.— 
*)Jer. 33: 14-16, s 71.— ')Eze. 34: 23 s 72.— '^) Dan. 2: 44, s 74, 77.— 
'')Zech. 9: 9, s 78.— «)Hag. 2: 6, 7, s 78.— ^) Mai. 3: 1, s 81.— ")Isa. 
6.0: 1. 

^ What promise did God give David ? 

' What particular name was given to the Messiah ? 

' What did Isaiah the prophet prophesy concerning Him ? 

* What was the Messianic prophecy of Micah? 

° What did Jeremiah call the Messiah ? 

" What was Ezekiel's prophecy ? Daniel's ? Zechariah's ? Haggai's ? 

^How does Malachi speak of His advent? 

® What do these and many other prophecies cry out unto us ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Although God spake at sundry times and in divers manners in 
time past unto the fathers by the prophets, their testimony of Christ 
agrees perfectly in every instance. (Acts 10: 43.) 

2. If different men of different ages foretell the same thing cen- 
turies beforehand, and it occurs at the time and in the manner desig- 
nated, it is hardiness to doubt its godliness. (2 Pet. 1: 19.) 



Hosanna ! raise the pealing hymn 
To David's Son and Lord. 

With cherubim and seraphim. 
Exalt th' incarnate Word. 



3. ZACHARIAS AND ELISABETH. 

Luke 1 : 5-25. 

There was in the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a certain 
priest named Zacharias, and the name of his wife was Elisa- 
beth. 'They were both righteous before God, walking in all 
the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 
And they had no child, and they both were now well stricken 
in years. Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest's 
office before God, and it was his lot to burn incense, he went 
into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the 
people were praying without at the hour of incense. ^And 



B. C. 1. ZACHARIAS AND ELISABETH. 189' 

there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the 
right side of the altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled 
when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 

But the angel said unto him, ^Fear not, Zacharias : because 
thy supplication is heard ; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee 
a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have 
joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he 
shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no 
wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy 
Ghost, even from his mother's womb ; and many of the chil- 
dren of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God. *And he 
shall go before His face (the Lord's) in the spirit and power 
of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and 
the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for 
the Lord a people prepared for Him. 

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know 
this ? for I am old, and my wife is well stricken in years. And 
the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand 
in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak unto thee, 
to bring thee these tidings, and ^behold, thou shalt be silent, 
and not be able to speak until the day that these things shall 
come to pass, because thou believedst not my words, which 
shall be fulfilled in their season. 

And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they mar- 
veled while he tarried in the temple. And when he came out, 
he could not speak unto them. ^And they perceived that he 
had seen a vision in the temple. And he beckoned unto them, 
and remained dumb. And it came to pass, when the days of 
his ministrations were fulfilled, he departed unto his house. 

* What praise is given to Zacharias and Elisabeth? 

^ What happens while he executed the priest's office ? 
^ What did the angel say unto him ? 

* How does the angel describe the office of John ? 

' What else did the angel Gabriel say to Zacharias ? 

*What did the people perceive, when he came out of the temple? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The angels are God's messengers to carry out His commands. 
But we, too, should always fulfill our office and calling willingly* and 
faithfully, like the angels in heaven. (Ps. 103: 20.) 

2. God carries out His judgment over men through angels. Such 
is taught by the aestruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as in, 



190 MARY AND THE ANGEL GABRIEL. B. C. 1 

2 Sam. 24; 17; 2 Kings 6: 16, 17, and in many other instances given in 
the H0I7 Scriptures. 

3. Be God-fearing and pious, if you wish angels to surround you 
and serve you : for they are readv to serve all seeking salvation. 
(Heb. 1: 14.) 



Thy praises. Lord, I will resound 
To all the listening nations round; 
Thy mercy highest heaven transcends 
Thy truth beyond the clouds extends. 



4. MARY AND THE AXGEL GABRIEL. 

Luke 1: 26-38. 

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God 
unto a city in Galilee, named Xazareth, 'to a virgin betrothed to 
a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David ; and the 
virgin's name was ]\Iary. And the angel came in unto her, 
and said, ^Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with 
thee : blessed art thou among women. ^And when she saw 
him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what 
manner of salutation this might be. 

And the angel said unto her, ^Fear not, ^lary: for thou 
hast found favor with God. Behold, thou shalt conceive, and 
bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be 
great, and shall be called the Son of the ]\Iost High : and the 
Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David : 
and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever ; and of 
His kingdom there shall be no end. 

'^Then ^lary said unto the angel. How shall this be ? And 
the angel answered and said unto her, 'The Holy Ghost shall 
come upon thee, wherefore also that which is to be born shall 
be called holy, the Son of God. And, behold, Elizabeth, thy 
kinswoman, hath also conceived a son in her old age : for with 
God nothing shall be impossible. And ]\Iary said, 'Behold the 
handmaid of the Lord ; be it unto me according to thy word. 
And the angel departed from her. An angel of the Lord also 
appeared unto Joseph in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, thou son of 
David, fear not to take unto thee ilary thy wife;, she shall 
bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for it 
is He that shall save His people from their sins. 



B. C. 1. MARY AND ELISABETH. 191 

^ To whom was the angel Gabriel sent ? 

' How did the angel greet Mary ? 

' What impression did the sight of the angel make upon her ? 

* What else did the angel say ? 

" What was Mary's reply ? 

® What did the angel say then ? 

^ How did Mary receive the angel's message ? 

® What did tne angel say unto Joseph in a dream ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. How deeply the eternal Son of God humbled Himself, when, by 
the operation of the Holy Ghost, He took upon Himself flesh and blood 
from virgin Mary, and became in all points like us, yet without sin! 
(Heb. 4: 15.) 

2. How highly was Mary elevated, when God chose her to become 
the mother of His son. But she received this honor, as well as her own 
salvation, of mere grace; she drank of the same fount of grace from 
which all of us must draw. (John 2: 5.) 

3. In order to believe and to grasp more readily the immaculate 
conception and birth of Jesus, one needs only to remember how exactly 
it agrees with the prophecies. He was born of a virgin and of the 
family of David, as the prophets had prophesied. (Isa. 7: 14. Matt. 
21: 9.) 



Behold, He comes! He comes to bless 

The nations as their God; 
To show the world His righteousness, 

And send His truth abroad. 



— O- 



5. MARY AND ELISABETH. 

Luke 1:39-56. 

^And Mary arose in these days, and went into the hill 
country with haste, into a city of Judah. And entered into 
the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. ''And it came to 
pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, she was 
filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake with a loud voice, and 
said, Whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should 
come unto me ? ^And blessed is she that believed : for there 
shall be a fulfillment of those things which have been spoken to 
her from the Lord. 

And Mary said, *My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my 
spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 'For He hath looked 
upon the low estate of His handmaiden. Behold, from hence- 



THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 



B. C. I. 



forth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is 
mighty hath done to me great things ; and holy is His name. 
And His mercy is unto generations and generations on them 
that fear Him. He hath showed strength with His arm; He 
hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. He 
hath put down the princes from their thrones, and hath exalted 
them of low degree. The hungry He hath filled with good 
things ; and the rich He hath sent empty away. "He hath 
holpen Israel his servant, in remembrance of His mercy ; as He 
spake unto our fathers, toward Abraham and his seed for ever. 
^A.nd ]\Iary abode with her about three months, and returned 
unto her house. 

^ \Yhere did Mary go after her visitation? 

^ What happened when Mary saluted Elisabeth ? 

^ What did Elisabeth say unto Mary ? 

* How does Mary begin her hymn of praise ? 

^ Why did she praise the Lord thus ? 

®How does she show her faith in God's promises? 

' What did Mary do thereafter ? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. After the greeting of the angel and the annunciation, Mary 
hastened into the hill country, unto her pious old friend, to rejoice with 
her over what had taken place. " Divided joy is doubled joy." 

2. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speiaketh. 
Though highly favored, yet Mary remains in humility and ascribes all 
honor to God alone. God giveth grace to the humble. 

3. If the pious Israelite rejoiced in the hope of the coming Re- 
deemer, how much more we ought to rejoice in Him, now that He has 



come 



blessed God, to Thee I raise 
My voice in thankful hymns of praise; 
And when my voice shall silent be. 
My silence shall be praise to Thee. 



6. THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 

Luke 1 : 57-80. 

Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be de- 
livered, and she brought forth a son. 'And her neighbors and 
her kinsfolk heard that the Lord had magnified His mercy 



B. C. 1. THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 193 

towards her; and they rejoiced with her. 'And it came to 
pass on the eightli day that they came to circumcise the child ; 
and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of 
the father, But his mother answered and said, ^Not so ; but he 
shall be called John. And they said unto her, "There is none 
of thy kindred that is called by this name. ^And they made 
signs to his father, what he would have him called. And he 
asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying. His name is John. 
And they marveled all. "And his mouth was opened imme- 
diately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, blessing God. 
And a fear came on all that dwelt round about them. And all 
these things were noised abroad throughout all the hill coun- 
try of Judaea. And all that heard them laid them up in their 
heart, saying, What then shall this child be? And the hand 
of the Lord was with him. 

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, 
and prophesied, saying, ^Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel ; 
for He hath visited and redeemed His people. And hath 
raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his ser- 
vant David. As He spake aforetimes by the mouth of His 
holy prophets, that He remembered His holy covenant, and 
the oath which He sware unto Abraham our father. *And 
thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High ; for 
thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready His 
ways ; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people in the 
remission of their sins through the tender mercy of our God ; 
whereby the dayspring from on high shall visit us, to shine 
upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to 
guide our feet into the way of peace. 

'"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and 
was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. 

^ What took place when Elizabeth gave birth to a son? 

^ What name did they intend to give him ? 

^ What did his mother say ? 

* What was the reply of her kinsfolk ? 

'^ How was the question decided ? 

" What result followed his father's decision ? 

^ What did the people say when they observed this? 

'How did Zacharias, filled with the Holy Ghost, now bless God?. 

' What did he prophesy of the child ? 

" Wliat else is reported of the child ? 



13 



194 THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST. 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. He who looks upon children as a gift of God which He has 
given us in mercy, will have joy in them, and will seek to nurture them 
in the chastening and admonition of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4.) 

2. Not infrequently circumstances and events are connected with 
the birth of a child which force us to ask, " What then shall this child 
be ? ". — What ? JoJin became the greatest prophet of the old covenant. 
(Matt. 11: 11.) 

3. How happy parents may consider themselves, whose children 
occupy a high position in God's kingdom, and who as useful instru- 
ments of the Lord lead many unto righteousness. 



Our children Thou dost claim, 

O Lord, our God, as Thine; 
Ten thousand blessings to Thy name 

For goodness so divine! 
How great Thy mercies, Lord, 

How plenteous is Thy grace, 
Which, in the promise of Thy love, 

Includes our rising race! 



7. THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST. 

Luke 2 : 1-20. 

Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a de- 
cree from Caesar Augustus, 'that all the world should be en- 
rolled. ^This was the first enrollment made when Cyrenius 
was governor of Syria. And all went to enroll themselves, 
every one to his own city. 'And Joseph also went up from 
Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of 
David, which is called Bethlehem ; ^because he was of the 
house and family of David : to enroll himself with Mary who 
was betrothed to him, being great with child. And while 
they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be de- 
livered. ^And she brought forth her firstborn son, and she 
wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger ; 
because there was no room for them in the inn. 

And there were shepherds in the same country abiding 
in the field, and keeping w^atch by night over their flock. 
'And, lo, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory 
of the Lord shone round about them : and they were sore 
afraid. And the angel said unto them, ^Be not afraid : behold, 
I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the 



THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST. 195 

people ; for there is born to you this day in the city of David 
a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. *And this is the sign 
unto you : Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 
and lying in a manger. ^And suddenly there was with the 
angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and say- 
ing, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good 
will toward men. 

And when the angels went away from them into heaven, 
the shepherds said one to another, ^°Let us now go even unto 
Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the 
Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, 
and found both Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the 
manger. "And when they had seen it, they made known 
abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 
And all that heard it wondered at the things which were told 
them by the shepherds. "But Mary kept all these sayings, pon- 
dering them in her heart. ^^And the Shepherds returned, glor- 
ifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard 
and seen, as it had been told unto them. 

^ What decree was issued by Caesar Augustus ? 

* When did this enrollment take place ? 
" Where did Joseph go ? 

*Why had he to go to Bethlehem to be enrolled? 
"What happened there as to Mary? 

* What happened to the shepherds in the field ? 
' What did the angel say unto them ? 

• How were they to recognize the newly born Saviour of the world ? 

• How did the angels celebrate His birth ? 

^° What did the shepherds say one to another ? 

" What did they do when they had seen the Christ-child ? 

" What did Mary do when she heard the sayings of the shepherds ? 

^^ And what dia the pious shepherds do ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. It is not without purpose that the Holy Spirit had written 
down carefully the time, place, and circumstances .of the birth of 
Christ; it is a historical event that cannot be contradicted. 

2. As in Christ's whole life, we find also at His birth closely 
allied lowliness and sublimity; things seemingly of no importance, and 
things wonderful; poverty and plenty, and impotence and omnipotence. 

3. The light of the world breaks forth in the darkness of the 
night. Mankind is asleep and quiet; the angels watch and celebrate 
with loud rejoicing the advent of the Redeemer. 

4. The great people of the world had no presage of what was 



196 THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. A. D. 1.. 

going on in Bethlehem; but God let angels communicate it to poor 
shepherds. Happy are they who hear the glad tidings and believe 
them, and tell others of them. 



Hark! the herald angels sing, 
" Glory to the newborn King; 
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, 
God and sinners reconciled! " 
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, 
Join the triumphs of the skies, 
With th' angelic host proclaim, 
Christ is born in Bethlehem. 



-O- 



8. THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEM- 
PLE. 

Luke 2: 21-40. 

When eight days were fulfilled for circumcising Him,. 
His name was called Jesus, which was so called by the angel 
before He was conceived. 

And when six weeks had passed, Joseph and Mary 
brought the child Jesus to Jerusalem, ^to present Him to the 
Lord, and to offer a sacrifice according to the law of the 
Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. ^And, 
behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Sim- 
eon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for 
the consolation of Israel ; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 
And it had been revealed unto him, *that he should not see 
death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in 
the Spirit into the temple. ''And when the parents brought in 
the child Jesus, he took Him up in his arms, and blessed God, 
and said. Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart, O Lord, ac- 
cording to Thy word, in peace: for mine eyes have seen Thy 
salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all 
peoples ; a light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of Thy 
people Israel. 

^And His father and mother marveled at those things 
which were spoken concerning Him. ^And Simeon blessed 
them and said unto Mary His mother. Behold, this child is set 
for the falling and rising up of many in Israel; and for a 
sign which is spoken against. And a sword shall pierce 
through thine own soul, that thoughts out of many hearts may 



A. D. 1. THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. 1.9T 

be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the 
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser : she was of a great 
age, having hved with a husband seven years from her vir- 
ginity, and she had been a widow even for fourscore and four 
years, Vhich departed not from the temple, worshiping with 
fastings and supplications night and day. ^She, too, came 
up that very hour and gave thanks unto God, and spake of 
Him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jeru- 
salem. ^''And when they had accomplished all things that 
were according to the law of the Lord, they returned into 
Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. "And the child grew and 
waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom : and the grace of 
God was upon Him. 

*What name was given to the child at His circumcision? 

^ Why was the child Jesus brought into the temple in Jerusalem? 

*WJio was in the temple at the same time? 

* What had the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon? 

* What did he do and say ? 

* What impression did this make upon Joseph and Mary? 
'What did Simeon say unto Mary? 

® What is said of Anna ? 

» What did she do ? 

*" Where did the holy family go thereafter? 

^ What farther do we read of the child Jesus ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. There is in the whole world no more beautiful and important a 
name than Jesus, which means Saviour or Redeemer. It is worthy 
to be called upon, believed and praised by all. (Acts 4: 12.) 

2. The hope oi the faithful maketh not ashamed. Whatever God 
has promised will be fulfilled; and the fulfillment of His promise 
brings happiness. Blessed Simeon! He believed, and was permitted to 
see. 

3. You, too, were presented to the Lord at your baptism; there- 
fore always consider yourself a consecrated one of the Lord; and 
present yourself to Him as a thank-ofi'ering. 



Rejoice, ye saints, rejoice and praise 
The blessings of redeeming grace! 
Jesus, your everlasting tower 
Stands firm against the tempest's power. 



198 THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST. A. D. 1. 

9. THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST. 

Matt. 2 : 1-12. 

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, ^in the 
days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came 
to Jerusalem, saying, "" Where is He that is born king of the 
Jews? For we saw His star in the East and are come to 
worship Him. ^And when Herod the king heard it, he was 
troubled, and all Jerusalem with him ; *and gathering together 
all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of 
them where the Christ should be born. And they said unto 
him, ^In Bethlehem of Judaea. Tor thus it is written by the 
prophet. And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judaea, art in 
no wise least among the princes of Juda : for out of thee shall 
come forth a Governor, which shall be ruler of my people 
Israel (Micah 5:1). ^Then Herod privily called the wise men,, 
and learned of them carefully what time the star appeared. 
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, *Go and search dili- 
gently for the young child; and when ye have found Him, 
bring me word, that I also may come and worship Him. 

And they, having heard the king, went their way. ^And, 
lo, the star, which they saw in the East, went before them till 
it came and stood over where the young child was. And when 
they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy, and 
came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his 
mother; ^"and they fell down, and worshiped Him:, and open- 
ing their treasures they offered unto Him gifts: gold, and 
frankincense, and myrrh. "And being warned of God in a 
dream that they should not return to Herod, ^'they departed 
into their own country another way. 

^When did the wise men from the East come to Jerusalem? 
^What was their inquiry? 
^How did their question impress everybody? 
*What did Herod do? 
° What was the answer of the scribes ? 
'How did they know that? 
' What else did king Herod do ? 
*What did he say unto the wise men? 
'How were they guided to Bethlehem? 
^MVhat did they do when they found the child? 
" How were they warned of God in a dream ? 
"Where did they go now? 



A. D. 2. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT. 199 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. Let not the heathens put you to shame. The wise men come 
from a distant land, seek Jesus, inquire for Him, bring Him presents, 
and you? — hardly think of Him. 

2. Truly the first are the last. Heathens who were not in the 
covenant with God and were excluded from the promises, know and 
believe that the Saviour is born; but the children of the covenant, and 
the custodians of the divine Word awake as from a dream and just be- 
gin to search the Scriptures. 

3. Seek Jesus, too. He speaks through His Spirit, " Those that 
seek me early shall find me." Seek Him until you find Him and give 
Him your heart. (Prov. 23: 26.) 



Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion, 

Odors of Edom, and offerings divine? 
Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean. 

Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine? 
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning. 

Dawn on our darkness, and lend us Thine aid; 
Star of the east, the horizon adorning, 

Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. 



ID. THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT AND THE SLAUGH- 
TER OF THE INNOCENTS. 

Matt. 2 : 13-23. 

Now when the wise men were departed, behold, an angel 
of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and said, ^Arise, 
and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, 
and be thou there until I tell thee : ''for Herod will seek the 
young child to destroy Him. ^And he arose and took the 
young child and His mother by night, and departed into 
Egypt : *and was there until the death of Herod : that it might 
be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, 
saying. Out of Egypt did I call my son. 

^Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the 
wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all 
the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders 
thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time 
which he had carefully learned of the wise men. 

*But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord 
appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, ^Arise, and 
take the young child and His mother, and go into the land of 



200 JESUS IN THE TEMPLE AT THE AGE OF TWELVE. A. D. 12 

Israel : for they are dead that sought the young child's life. 
^And he arose, and took the young child and His mother, and 
came into the land of Israel, and dwelt in a city called Naz- 
areth. 

^ What did the angel say unto Joseph in a dream ? 

' Why did he give this command ? 

•What did Joseph do upon this? 

*How long did he remain there? 

'What did Herod do now? 

'What happened after Herod's death? 

^ W^hat did the angel say unto Joseph ? 

" Where did he go now with the child and His mother ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The fatherly eye of God watched from the beginning over the 
holy child Jesus; and He is even now, and all the time, the refuge and 
protection of His own. 

2. The impious conceal their intentions, but God sees them arid 
knows how to frustrate them. (Isa. 8: 10.) 

3. " They are dead, that sought the young child's life." In the 
end this will be said of all who arise against Christ and His kingdom, 
while Christ survives and continues to live. (Ps. 8: 10.) 



O'er every foe victorious, 
He on His throne shall rest; 

From age to age more glorious, 
All-blessing and all-blessed. 



II. JESUS IN THE TEMPLE AT THE AGE OF 

TWELVE. 

Luke 2: 41-52. 

*The parents of Jesus went every year to Jerusalem at the 
feast of the passover. ^And when He was twelve years old, 
they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. ^And 
when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the 
boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem, and His parents knew 
it not. ■'But they supposed Him to be in the company, and 
went a day's journey; and they sought for Him among their 
kinsfolk and acquaintance. "And when they found Him not, 
they returned to Jerusalem seeking for Him. 

''And it came to pass, after three days they found Him in 



A. D. 12. JESUS IN THE TEMPLE AT THE AGE OF TWELVE. 201 

the Temple, in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and 
asking them questions. ^And all that heard Him were amazed 
at His understanding and His answers. And when they saw 
Him, they were astonished. And His mother said unto Him, 
**Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? behold, Thy father 
and I sought thee sorrowing. And He said unto them, ^How 
is it that ye sought me ? Wist ye not that I must be about My 
Father's business? And they understood not the saying 
which he spake unto them. "And He went down with them, 
and came to Nazareth, and He was subject unto them. "And 
His mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 

''And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor 
with God and men. 

^ Where did the parents of Jesus go every year ? 

^ How old was Jesus when he went along? 

^ What occurred when the days of the feast were fulfilled ? 

* Why were His parents at first without anxiety ? 

^ What did they do when they failed to find Him among their 

acquaintances ? 
'Where did they find Him at last? 
' What impression did He make upon the doctors ? 

* What did His mother say unto Him, when they found Him ? 
' What was Jesus' reply ? 

^"How was thereafter the conduct of the boy Jesus towards His 

parents ? 
^^What did Mary, His mother, do? 
^^ What else is related of the boy Jesus ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Christian parents ought often to apply this beautiful story as a 
mirror for themselves. Though a three days' journey from their home, 
they attended regularly the high feasts at Jerusalem. Let not a long 
way to church vex you. 

2. And what a beautiful example this story presents to all 
Christian children! Jesus at the age of twelve goes with His parents 
to the feast, becomes a son of the law; considering heavenly things He 
forgets all secular ones, and is subject to his parents. 



Be Christ our pattern and our guide, 

His image may we bear: 
Oh, may we tread His holy steps. 

His joy and glory share. 



202 JOHN THE BAPTIST AND PREACHER OF REPENTANCE. A. D. 30. 

12. JOHN THE BAPTIST AND PREACHER OF RE- 
PENTANCE. 

Matt. 3: 1-12. Mark 1: 1-18. Luke 3:1-18. 

*In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pon- 
tius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being te- 
trarch of Gahlee, and his brother Phihp tetrarch of the region 
of Ituraea and Trachonitis, in the highpriesthood of Annas 
and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of 
Zacharias in the wilderness. ^And he came into all the region 
round about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance unto 
remission of sins, saying. Repent ye : for the kingdom of 
heaven is at hand, as it is written in the book of the words of 
Esaias the prophet saying, ^The voice of one crying in the 
wilderness. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths 
straight. And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 

*And there went out unto him all the country of Judaea, 
and all" they of Jerusalem, and were baptized of him in Jordan, 
confessing their sins. °And John was clothed with camel's 
hair, and had a leathern girdle about his loins ; and did eat lo- 
custs and wild honey. 

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees 
coming to his baptism he said unto them, ^O generation of 
vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come ? Bring 
forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance. Think not to say 
within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father. I say 
unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children 
unto Abraham. ^Even now is the ax laid unto the root of the 
trees : every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit 
is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

And the people asked him, saying. What then must we 
do? And he answered and said unto them, ^He that hath two 
coats, let him impart to him that hath none ; and he that hath 
food, let him do likewise. And there came also publicans to 
be baptized, and they said unto him. Master, what must we 
do? And he said unto them, ^Extort no more than that which 
is appointed. And soldiers also asked him, saying. And we, 
what must we do ? And he said unto them, """Do violence to no 
man, neither exact anything wrongfully and be content with 
your wages. And as the people were in suspense, and reas- 
oned in their hearts concerning John, whether he were the 



A. D. 30. JESUS IS BAPTIZED OF JOHN. 205 

Christ, he answered, "L indeed baptize you with water unto re- 
pentance : but there cometh He that is mightier than I, the 
latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose ; He shall 
baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Whose fan is 
in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing- 
floor; and He will gather His wheat into the garner; but the 
chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire. ^^And many other 
things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. 

^ When did John the Baptist assume his office ? 

^ Where did he go, and what did he preach ? 

^ What had Esaias (Isaiah) prophesied concerning him? 

* What was the result of his preaching? 

^ What manner of life did he lead ? 

® What did he say unto the proud Pharisees and Sadducees ? 

'' How did he warn them ? 

^ What did he say unto the people ? 

' What were his instructions to the publicans ? 
^ How did he answer the soldiers ? 

" What did he say unto those who thought he was the Messiah ? 
" What else did John preach ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The preaching of repentance and the remission of sins alwaya 
proves powerful and efficacious, when coming from a repentant and 
believing heart, and is adapted for all times and ranks of men. (Acts 
17: 30.) 

2. God not only demands repentance of men, but also fruits 
worthy of repentance; for every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit 
is hewn down and cast into the fire. 

3. True repentance consists chiefly in remorse and sorrow for sin, 
and hating and turning from it always more and more; on the other 
hand, to take delight in living according to the will of God in all good 
works. 



On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry 
Announces that the Lord is nigh: 

Awake, and hearken, for he brings 
Glad tidings of the King of kings. 



13. JESUS IS BAPTIZED OF JOHN. 

Matt. 3: 13-17. Mark 1: 9-13. Luke 3. 

^At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan unto 
John, to be baptized of him. But John would have hindered 



204 THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS. A. D. 30. 

Him, saying, 'I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest 
Thou to me? But Jesus answering said unto him, ^Suffer it 
now : for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. *Then 
he suffered Him. 

°And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway 
from the water, and prayed. ^And, lo, the heavens were 
opened unto Him. ^And John saw the Spirit of God descend- 
ing as a dove, and coming upon Him. And, lo, a voice 
out of the heavens saying, ^This is my beloved son, in whom I 
am well pleased. 

* What occurred when Jesus was thirty years old ? 
^ What did John say of him ? 

• What did Jesus point out to him ? 
*What did John do then? 

^ What did Jesus do when He had been baptized ? 
' What miraculous sign occurred in the heavens ? 
^ And what did John see ? 
® What did the voice out of the heavens sav ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Jesus was made under the law and was obedient in all things. 
Thank Him for it, that by doing and suffering He hath fulfilled all 
righteousness. 

2. Jesus received the Spirit without measure, and was declared 
out of heaven the Son of God, that we should believe in Him and be 
filled with His Spirit. 

3. God is displeased with sin, but is well pleased in His Son. 
God forgives us our sins for Christ's sake and makes us His children. 



I will love Thee, — all my treasure 
I will love Thee, — all my strength! 

I will love Thee, — without measure. 
And will love Thee right at length. 

Oh, I will love Thee, Light divine, 
Till I die and call Thee mine. 



14. THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS. 

Matt. 4: 1-11. 

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness 
*to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty 
days and forty nights. He hungered. '^And the tempter came 
and said unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, command that 



A. D. 3u. THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS. 205> 

these stones become bread. But He answered and said, 'It is 
written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word 
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Deut. 8:3.) 

Then the devil taketh Him into the holy city, and he set 
Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, *If 
Thou art the Son of God, cast Thyself down : ^for it is written, 
He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee : and on 
their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest haply Thou dash Thy 
foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, ^Again it is written. 
Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God (Deut. 6: 16.) 

Again, the devil taketh Him unto an exceeding high moun- 
tain and sheweth Him ^all the kingdoms of the world, and the 
glory of them; and he said unto Him, ^AU these things will I 
give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then 
saith Jesus unto him, 'Get thee hence, Satan : for it is written, 
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt 
thou serve. ^**Then the devil leaveth Him. — And, behold, 
angels came and ministered unto Him. 

^ Why was Jesus led of the Spirit into the wilderness ? 

^ What occurred when He hungered after His long fasting? 

' With what words did Jesus rebuke him ? 

* What did the tempter say when he set Jesus on the pinnacle of 
the temple? 

■^ Which passage of the Psalms did the tempter misuse? (Ps. 
91: 11, 12.) 

' With what passage of Scripture did Jesus answer him ? 

^ What did the tempter show Him on the high mountain? 

^ What did lie say to Him ? 

" With what words did Jesus defend Himself against this last at- 
tack ? 

" What followed the victory of Jesus ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. 
(Heb. 4: 15.) Remember that you can overcome all temptations, 
through Him. His victory is our victory. (Rom. 8: 37.) 

2. Jesus rebuked the tempter with the word of God. You, too, 
grasp this sharp and two-edged sword of the Spirit and wield it skill- 
fully with prayer and continued self-denial. (Heb. 4: 12.) 

3. Jesus was tempted repeatedly and in various ways. Remem- 
ber well, that the devil, the world and your own sinful nature never 
cease to tempt you. Render firm resistance. (Jas. 4: 7.) 

4. Jesus was glorified after His severe trial ; angels came and 
ministered unto Him. Remember that a crown of victory is promised 
to him that overcometh. (Rev. 3: 12.) 



-206 THE FIRST DISCIPLES OF JESUS. A. D. 30. 

Alas! what hourly dangers rise! 

What snares beset my way 
To heaven, oh, let me lift mine eyes, 

And hourly watch and pray. 
Oh, keep me in Thy heavenly way, 

And bid the tempter liee! 
And let me never, never stray 

From happiness and Thee. 



-O- 



15. THE FIRST DISCIPLES OF JESUS. 

John 1: 29-51. 

When John saw Jesus coming unto him, he said, ^Behold 
the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world ; this 
is He of whom I said, ^After me cometh a man which is be- 
come before : for He was before me ; and I have borne wit- 
ness that this is the son of God. Again the next day after John 
stood, and two of his disciples ; and looking upon Jesus as He 
walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God. And the two dis- 
ciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus 
turned and said, What seek ye? They said unto Him, *Rabbi, 
where abidest Thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. 
They came and saw, and abode with Him that day. °One of 
the two was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He findeth first 
his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, "We have found 
the Alessias. And he brought him unto Jesus. And when 
Jesus beheld him. He said, ^Thou art Simon the son of Jona; 
thou shalt be called Cephas (a stone). 

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and 
findeth Philip, and saith unto him, ^Follow me. Now Philip 
was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip 
findeth Nathaniel and saith unto him, %Ve have found Him, 
of whom Moses and the prophets did write, Jesus of Naza- 
reth, the son of Joseph. And Nathaniel said unto him, ^°Can 
any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto 
him. Come and see. Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to Him, and 
saith of Him, ^Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile ! 
Nathaniel saith unto Him, Whence knowest Thou me? Jesus 
answered and said unto him, Before Philip called thee, when 
thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathaniel answered 
Him, "^Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King 
of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said 



A. D. 30. JESUS AT THE MARRIAGE IN CANA. 207 

unto thee, I saw thee underneath the fig tree, believest thou? 
thou shalt see greater things than these. And He saith unto 
him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see the 
heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending 
upon the Son of man. 

*What did John cry out when he saw Jesus coming unto him? 
' What had he said of Jesus before ? 

" What did Jesus say unto the two disciples of John that followed 
Him? 

* What was their reply ? 

^ What was the name of one of the two disciples ? 
*What did Andrew say to his brother Simon? 
'How did Jesus address Simon? 
® What did Jesus say unto Philip on the following day? 

* What did Philip say unto Nathanael ? 
^"How did he answer Philip? 

" What did the Lord say of Nathanael ? 
^^ What does Nathanael confess of Jesus ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Repentance and contrition of heart must precede saving faith, 
like John the Baptist preceded Christ. 

2. It is necessary and a matter of duty for a minister of the 
Word to direct the people that are attached to him, to Jesus, the only 
Saviour of sinners. 

3. Observe that not only the Lord, but also believers, can gain 
disciples for Him. Andrew leads Simon, and Philip leads Nathanael 
unto Christ. 

4. Nathanael did say, " Can any good thing come out of Naza- 
reth ? " But he differs from many people, who use his language, but 
fail to examine the facts; for he came, and saw, and believed, and at 
last confessed joyfully, " Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God! " 



Behold the sin-atoning Lamb, 

With wonder, gratitude and love ! - 
Jesus, my Lord, I look to Thee: 

Where else can helpless sinners go? 
Thy boundless love shall set me free 
From all my wretchedness and woe. 



i6. JESUS AT THE MARRIAGE IN CANA. 

John 2: ML 

On the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee ; 
and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was bidden, 



208 JESUS AT THE MARRIAGE IN CAN A. A. D. 30. 

and His disciples, to the marriage. And when the wine failed, 
the mother of Jesus sait4i unto Him, ^They have no wine. And 
Jesus saith unto her, 'Woman what have I to do with thee? 
Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the ser- 
vants, ^Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. Now there were 
six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of 
purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith 
unto them, ''Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled 
them up to the brim. And He saith unto them, Draw out now, 
and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it. ^And 
when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, 
and knew not whence it was : (but the servants which had 
drawn the water knew ;) the ruler of the feast calleth the bride- 
groom, and saith unto him, ^Every man setteth on first the 
good wine ; and when men have drunk freely, then that which 
is worse : thou hast kept the good wine until now. ''This be- 
ginning of His signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee ; and mani- 
fested His glory. And His disciples believed on Him. 

^And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus 
went up to Jerusalem. 

^ What did Mary say unto Jesus, about the people at the marriage ? 

^ Whai reply did Jesus give? 

' What did Mary say unto the servants ? 

* What did Jesus tell them to do ? 

° What did the ruler of the feast taste, when they drew from the 

water-pots and brought it to him? 
'What did the ruler of the feast say unto the bridegroom? 
^ What does the Evangelist say as to this miracle? 

* Where did Jesus go thereafter ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The Lord will not even permit Mary to tell Him what to do; 
He observes His own time; He knows best when and how to help. 

2. How vividly the imperfections of this temporal life appear to 
us from this story ! We see how marriage festivities even may be 
clouded by want and cares. 

3. How glorious and sublime Jesus stands before us! He proves 
Himself the true helper in need, who can change worthless things into 

.^ood, the common into precious things, our tears into gladness. 

At some time or other the Lord will provide: 
It may not be my time, 
It may not be thy time. 
And yet in His own time, 
The Lord will provide. 



A. D. 30. JESUS AND NICODEMUS. 209 

17. JESUS AND NICODEMUS. 

John 3: 1-22. 

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a 
ruler of the Jews. The same came unto Jesus by night and 
said to Him, ^Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come 
from God : for no man can do these signs that Thou doest 
except God be with him, Jesus answered and said unto him, 
^Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born anew, he 
cannot see the kingdom of God. 

Nicodemus saith unto Him, ^How can a man be born 
when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's 
womb, and be born? Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say 
unto thee. Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he 
cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the 
flesh, is flesh ; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 
Marvel not that I said unto thee. Ye must be born anew. °The 
wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound 
thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it 
goeth : so is every one that is born of the Spirit, 

Nicodemus answered and said unto Him, ^How can these 
things be? Jesus answered and said unto him. Art thou a 
master of Israel and understandest not these things? ^Verily, 
verily, I say unto thee. We speak that we do know, and bear 
witness of that we have seen ; and ye receive not our witness. 
If I told you earthly things and ye believe not, how shall ye 
believe, if I tell you heavenly things? 'And no man hath as- 
cended into heaven, but He that descended out of heaven, even 
the Son of man, which is in heaven. """And as Moses lifted 
up the serpent in the wilderness (O. T. 34), even so must the 
Son of man be lifted up : that whosoever believeth in Him 
should not perish, but have eternal life. 

^How did Nicodemus address Jesus? 
^ What did Jesus say unto him ? 
^ What was the answer of Nicodemus ? 
*What further did Jesus say unto him? 

^ With what does the Lord compare the working of the Holy Spirit ? 
' What else did Nicodemus say to Jesus ? 
^ How does Jesus reproach Nicodemus? 
* How did Jesus affirm his statement ? 
® How does He testify to His divine mission ? 
^° How does he announce Himself as the Redeemer of the world ? 

14 



210 CHRIST AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA. A. D. 30. 

APPLICATIOXS. 

1. Our Saviour is not served with all Kinds of nice compliments 
and the frequent saying of Lord, Lord; He wishes to carry out His 
high office ana save us. 

2. It certainly pleases Jesus when prominent people come unto 
Him, too, and call Him "Master"; but it pleases Him by no means, if 
they come secretly because of fear of their fellowmen. 

3. If the Holy Spirit has lit the light of faith in the heart of 
man. it cannot remain concealed; sooner or later it will break forth 
with gleaming brightness. Behold Xicodemus at the burial of Jesus. 

4. Xeither a high position, nor honor, nor outward piety can 
save us: only faith in Jesus Christ the crucified one, the faith that 
changes us, bears us anew, can do so. 



The Spirit by His heavenly breath 

Xew life creates within; 
He quickens sinners from their death 

Of trespasses and sin. 



l8. CHRIST AND THE W0:MAN OF SAMARIA. 

John 4. 

Jesus left Judsea, and departed again into Galilee. And 
He must needs pass through a city of Samaria called Sychar, 
and Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied 
with His journey, sat thus by the well : it was about the sixth 
hour. ^There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water. 
Jesus saith unto her, 'Give me to drink. For his disciples were 
gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman 
saith unto Him, ^How is it that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink 
of me which am a Samaritan woman ? For Jews have no deal- 
ings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, Tf 
thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto 
thee, Give me to drink ; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and 
He would have given thee living water. The woman saith 
unto Him, ^Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well 
is deep ; from whence then hast Thou living water ? Jesus 
answered and said unto her, ^Everyone that drinketh of this 
water shall thirst again : but whosoever drinketh of the water 
that I shall give him shall never thirst. The woman saith unto 
Him, ^Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come 
hither to draw. Jesus saith tmto her, *Go, call thy husband and 
come hither. The woman answered and said unto Him, I 



A. D. 30. CHRIST AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA. 211 

"have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou saidst well, I 
have no husband. For thpu hast had five husbands; and he 
whom thou now hast is not thy husband : this hast thou said 
truly. The woman saith unto Him, 'Sir, I see that Thou art a 
prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain ; and ye 
say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to wor- 
ship. 

Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, believe me, the hour 
cometh when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall 
ye worship the Father. But the hour cometh, and now is, 
when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and 
truth ; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a 
Spirit ; and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and 
truth. The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias 
cometh, which is called Christ. When He is come. He -will 
declare unto us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak 
unto thee am He. 

The woman then left her waterpot and went into the city, 
and saith to the men, "Come, see a man, which told me all 
things that ever I did : can this be. the Christ ? Then they 
went out of the city and came unto Him. And from that 
city many of the Samaritans believed on Him because of the 
word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things that 
I ever did. So when the Samaritans came unto Him, they 
besought Him to abide with them : and He abode there two 
days. ^'And many more believed because of His word, and 
said unto the woman. Now we believe, not because of thy 
speaking: we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is 
indeed Christ, the Saviour of the world. 

^ What happened when Jesus rested at Jacob's well ? 
^ What does Jesus say to the Samaritan woman? 

* What does the woman answer Him? 

* What else does the Lord say to her ? 
' What was her answer ? 

"What did the Lord say to this? 
^ What did the woman say then? 

• What did Jesus now ask her to do ? 

• What impression did the words of Jesus make upon the woman? 
^" Where and how will God be worshiped? 

^^ What did the woman say to her neighbors ? 

^ What effect did the words of Jesus produce upon the people? 



212 CHRIST TEACHES IN THE SYNAGOGUE AT NAZARETH. A. D. 30. 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. Jesus, the untiring benefactor of man, did good even in Hi» 
hours of rest; and we are so slow and slothful in the service of God and 
man. Oh, how His example puts us to shame. 

2. National and religious hatred has always formed a strong^ 
barrier between different nations; but the Gospel can break these 
down also. 

3. Observe, how difficult it is for the natural man to perceive the- 
things of the Spirit. The Searcher of hearts must come with the light 
of His word. 

4. Do not believe only from hear-say, but come and hear for 
yourself, examine, believe and experience the saving power of the 
Gospel in your own heart. 



See, dearest Lord, our willing souls 
Accept Thine offered grace: 

We bless the great Redeemer's love, 
And give the Father praise. 



19. CHRIST TEACHES IN THE SYNAGOGUE AT 

NAZARETH. 

Luke 4 : 14-30. 

Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into GaHlee^ 
and a fame went out concerning Him, through all the 
region round about. And He taught in their synagogues,, 
being glorified of all. 'And He came to Nazareth, where He 
had been brought : and He entered, as His custom was, into the 
synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And 
there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. 
And He opened the book and found the place (Isa. 61) where 
it was written, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He 
anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He hath sent 
me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to the cap- 
tives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty 
them that are bruised, to proclaim the acceptable year of the 
Lord. And He closed the book, and gave it back to the attend- 
ant, and sat down. And the eyes of all that were in the 
synagogue were fastened on Him. And He began to say unto 
them,- ^Today hath this Scripture been fulfilled in your ears. 
*And they wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out 
of His mouth, and said, Is not this Joseph's son? And He 



A. D. 30. CHRIST TEACHES IN THE SYNAGOGUE AT NAZARETH. 213 

said unto them, 'Doubtless ye will say unto me this proverb, 
Physician, heal thyself ; whatsoever we have heard done at 
Capernaum, do also here in Thine own country. 

And He said, "Verily I say unto you. No prophet is accept- 
able in his own country. But of a truth I say unto you. There 
were many widows in Israel in the days of Elias, when the 
heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there 
came a great famine over all the land ; and unto none of them 
was Elias sent, but only to Sarepta, in the land of Sidon, unto a 
widow. And there were many, many lepers in Israel in the 
time of Eliseus the prophet ; and none of them was cleansed, 
but only Naaman the Syrian. ^And they were all filled with 
wrath in the synagogue as they heard these things, and the 
rose up and cast Him out of the city, and led Him unto the 
brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might 
throw Him down headlong. ^But passing through the midst 
of them He went His way. 

^ What does this story relate of Jesus ? 

^ What passage of the prophet Esaias (Isaiah) did He read? 

^ What did He say after He had read the passage ? 

*What impression did His words make upon His hearers? 

° W^hat is the proverb He quoted. 

'What further did He say unto them? 

^ What did they try to do when they felt that His words applied 

to them? 
* How did He escape from their hands ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Blessed custom, to attend church diligently on the Lord's day, 
to learn the word of God, to use the Holy Sacraments, to call publicly 
upon the Lord, and to give Christian alms. (Heb. 10: 25.) 

2. To admire the minister and to praise his speech is useless, if 
one will not give up his sins but continue in his old ways. (Isa. 1 : 5.) 

3. Woe unto the minister, who speaks in favor of everybody, who 
never offends with his speech! Jesus, the teacher without an equal, 
could not do so, nor could He convert everybody. 



Great Prophet of my God, 

My tongue would bless Thy name: 
By Thee the joyful news 

Of our salvation came. 



214 PETER'S DRAUGHT OF FISHES. THE APOSTLES. A. D. 30, 

20. PETER'S DRAUGHT OF FISHES, AND THE 
CALLING OF THE APOSTLES. 

Luke 4: 31. 6: 12-16. 

*Jesus departed from Nazareth and come down and dwelt 
in Capernaum. ""And He taught in the synagogues, and the 
people were astonished at His teaching : for His word was with 
authority — and it came to pass, while the multitude pressed 
upon Him to hear the word of God, that He was standing by 
the lake of Gennesaret, and He saw two boats standing by the 
lake : but the fishermen had gone out of them and were wash- 
ing their nets. ^And He entered into one of the boats which 
was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land ; 
and He sat down, and taught the multitude out of the boat. 

And when He had left speaking. He said unto Simon, *Put 
out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And 
Simon answered and said unto Him, ^Master we toiled all night 
and took nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will lef down 
the net. ^And when they had done this, they inclosed a great 
multitude of fishes, and their net brake. And they beckoned 
unto their partners in the other boat, that they should come 
and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so 
that they began to sink. 

^But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' 
knees, saying. Depart from me ; for I am a sinful man, O 
Lord. For he was amazed, and all that were with him at the 
draught of the fishes which they had taken. And so were also 
James and John, sons of Zebedee, which were partners with 
Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, 'Fear not ; from hence- 
forth thou shalt catch men. And they brought their boats to 
land and left all, and followed Him. 

And it came to pass, that He went into the mountain 
to pray, and He continued all night in prayer to God. And 
Vhen it was day, He called His disciples ; and He chose from 
them twelve, whom also He named apostles, that they should 
be with Him, and He should send them out to preach. And the 
apostles were ^"Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bar- 
tholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, 
Simon called Zelotes, Judas son of James and Judas Iscariot. 

^ Where did Jesus go when He left Nazareth ? 

2 What did He do there? 

^ Where else did He teach the people ? 



A. D. 30. ONE SICK OF THE PALSY HEALED. 216 

■■ * What did He say then unto Peter ? 
*What reply did Jesus receive from him? 
® What was the result of His obedience ? 
' What impression did this wonderful draught of fishes make upon 

Simon? 
® What did the Lord say unto him ? 
® What did Jesus do after He had continued in prayer a whole 

night? 
"Name the twelve apostles. 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Nazareth cast out Jesus, but Capernaum received Him. Beware 
Christian people, lest it be said of you sometime, " He came unto His 
own, and they received Him not." (John 1: 11.) 

2. He, who labors according to the Word of the Lord and His 
command, be it in his temporal or heavenly calling, never labors in 
vain. "Believest thou this?" (I Cor. 15: 58.) 

3. Has it ever happened to you, that when you observed the power 
and goodness of God, amazement at your sinfulness cast you down at 
the feet of Jesus? (Phil. 2: 10.) 

4. Fisher of men — what does it mean? Not only the apostles 
were such, but every minister of the Word, every Sabbath-school 
teacher, every Christian ought to be. Whether speaking or not, every 
one ought to try to win by his godly walk his neighbor for Christ. 



Send forth Thy heralds. Lord, to call 
The thoughtless young, the hardened old. 

A scattered, homeless flock, till all 
Be gathered to Thy peaceful fold. 



21. ONE SICK OF THE PALSY HEALED. 
Matt. 9. Mark 2. Luke 5. 

Jesus came into His city (Capernaum), and behold, *they 
brought to Him a man sick with the palsy, lying on a bed. And 
they sought to bring him in and to lay him before Him. "And 
not finding by what way they might bring him in because of the 
multitude, they went up to the housetop and let him down 
through the tiles with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 
And when Jesus saw their faith He said unto the one sick of 
the palsy, ^Son, be of good cheer ; thy sins are forgiven thee. 

*And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, 
This man blasphemeth God. Who can forgive sins, but God 
alone? But Jesus perceiving their reasonings said unto them. 



216 THE CENTURION IN CAPERNAUM. A. D. 80. 

'Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts ? Whether is easier, to 
say, Thy sins are forgiven thee, or to say, Arise and walk? 
"'But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth 
to forgive sins He saith to the one palsied, Arise, and take up 
thy couch, and go unto thine house. ^And he took up his couch 
and departed to his house. When the multitudes saw it, they 
were amazed, and they glorified God who had given such power 
unto men. 

^ What occurred when Jesus returned to Capernaum ? 

^ How did they bring the palsied man before Jesus ? 

^ What did Jesus say unto him ? 

* What did some of the scribes think ? 

■^What did Jesus say unto them? 

° How did He prove that He possessed such power ? 

' WTiat did the palsied man do ? 

•W^hat impression did this miracle make upon the people? 



. APPLICATIONS. 

1. Living faith generates love, makes active, and breaks through 
all hindrances; its objective and resting point is Jesus, where it is 
freed of its burden, 

2. It is true that God alone can forgive sins; the scribes were not 
aware, however, that He had given this power to the Son of God and 
man, until He proved it before their eyes. 

3. Jesus is the only physician who can heal body and soul. What 
avails a sound body if a soul sick unto death dwells in it ? 



Oh, for a faith that will not shrink 
Though pressed by every foe; 

That will not tremble on the brink 
Of any earthly woe! — 



22. THE CENTURION IN CAPERNAUM. 

Matt. 8. Luke 7. 

When Jesus had ended His sayings before the people, He 
entered into Capernaum, and a certain centurion's servant who 
was dear unto him was sick and at the point of death. ^And 
when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him elders of the Jews, 
asking Him that He would come and heal his servant. ^And 
when they came to Jesus, they besought Him earnestly, saying, 
He is worthy that Thou shouldest do this for him. For he 



A. D. 30. THE CENTURION IN CAPERNAUM. 217 

loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue. And Jesus 
went with them. 

And when He was not far from the house, the centurion 
sent friends to Him, saying unto Him, 'Lord, trouble not thy- 
self : for I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my 
roof. Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come 
unto Thee : but say the word, and my servant shall be healed. 
*For I also am a man set under authority, having under myself 
soldiers, and I say to this one. Go, and he goeth ; and to an- 
other, come, and he cometh ; and to my servant. Do this, and 
he doeth it. 

When Jesus heard these things. He marveled at him and 
turned and said unto the people that followed Him, ^I say unto 
you, I have not found so greath faith, no, not in Israel. ®And 
they that were sent, returning to the house, found the 
servant whole that had been sick. But I say unto you, ^That 
many shall come from the east andithe west, and shall sit down 
with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of 
Heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast forth 
into the outer darkness : there shall be weeping and gnashing 
of teeth. 

* What did the centurion in Capernaum do when his servant was 

at the point of death? 
^ What did the elders do when they came to Jesus ? 
' What message did the centurion send by other friends to Jesus ? 
*How did he prove his faith in the power of the words of Jesus? 
" What did Jesus say when He heard this ? 
" What happened to the sick servant ? 
'How did Jesus then indicate the election of the gentiles and the 

rejection of the Jews? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Sickness in a house is a heavy cross, but is often a source of 
great blessing; sickness urges to prayer, humility, faith, to the Lord 
Himself. 

2. If a heathen by birth, who has seen only a few rays of the light 
of the Gospel showed such strong faith, how much stronger our faith 
ought to be, who enjoy the fulness of the light of grace. 

3. It is certainly very painful if a faithful father must disin- 
herit a wayward child. Because of their unbelief the treasures of grace 
of the kingdom of God were withdrawn from the Jews and given to 
believing gentiles. Let it be a warning, dear Christian! (Rev. 3: 11.) 



218 THE SERMON IN THE MOUNT. A. D. 30. 

Give us. Lord, the eye of faith, 

The inner world to see, 
Then holy angels we shall view. 

And their blest ministry. 



-O- 



2Z. THE SER^IOX IX THE MOUNT. 

Matt. 5-7. Mark 3. Luke. 6. 

^And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain 
and when He had sat down, His disciples came to Him. And 
He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, 'Blessed are 
the poor in spirit : for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. 
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 
Blessed are the meek : for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed 
are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness : for they 
shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain 
mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God. 
Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall be called the chil- 
dren of God. "Blessed (8) are they that are persecuted for 
righteousness' sake : for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. 
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, 
and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 

I say unto you, ^That except your righteousness shall ex- 
ceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in 
no wise enter into the kingdom of Heaven. ^I say unto you, 
love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them 
that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and 
persecute you ; that ye may be the children of your Father in 
Heaven. For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the 
good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. Be ye there- 
fore perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 

®\\'hen thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites : 
for they love to stand and pray in the corners of the streets, 
that they may be seen of men. But when ye pray, use not vain 
repetitions as the heathen do : for they think that they shall be 
heard for their much speaking. After this manner therefore 
pray ye : "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy 
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is 
in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us 
our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into 
temptation; but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the king-- 



A. D. 30. THE SERMON IN THE MOUNT, 219- 

dom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 'Ask, 
and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it 
shall be opened unto you. 

^All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto 
you, even so do ye also unto them : for this is the law and the 
prophets. '"Enter ye by the narrow gate. For wide is the 
gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and 
many be they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, 
and straitened the way, which leadeth unto life, and few be 
they that find it. "Not every one that saith unto me. Lord, 
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth 
the will of my Father which is in Heaven. ""And when Jesus 
had ended these words, the multitudes were astonished at His 
teachings : for He taught them as one having authority, and 
not as the scribes. 

^ What is reported first of Jesus in this story ? 

^ Whom did the Lord call blessed? 

^ How many beatitudes are given? 

*What kind of righteousness must His disciples possess? 

' What directions does He give them for this end ? 

' What instruction does He give as to prayer ? 

' Repeat the prayer which He taught. 

® What several promises did He give to those that pray ? 

' Give the Golden Rule which Jesus taught. 

"What did Jesus say of the way of life and the way of destruction?' 
" How does He warn the hypocritical confessors ? 
"How did the people receive the sermon on the mount? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Whoever is looking for a model sermon will find one here. 
The great preacher on the mountain does not cleave to the mere letter, 
like the scribes, but penetrates into the spirit of the Scriptures and 
speaks on His own authority, and not only what others taught. 

2. But perhaps you often think your pastor is too exact; but here 
you see that Jesus is much more exact, and compares the observance 
of His teachings as an entrance into eternal life, with a narrow gate. 
(Luke 13: 24.) 

3. If you do not wish to stay behind at last, to deceive yourself 
and be lost, you will strive earnestly, pray fervently, believe firmly, and 
walk in the narrow way. 



Thy Spirit, Lord, at large impart. 
Expand and raise and fill my heart! 
So may I hope my life shall be 
Some faint return, Lord, to Thee. 



220 THE YOUNG MAN OF NAIN RAISED FROM DEATH. A. D. 30. 

24. THE YOUNG MAN OF NAIN RAISED FROM 

DEATH. 
Luke 7. 

^And it came to pass soon after, that He went to a city 
called Nain; and many of 'His disciples went with Him, and 
a great multitude. 'Now when He drew near to the gate of 
the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the 
only son of his mother, and she was a widow : and much people 
of the city was with her. 

*And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, 
and said unto her, ^Weep not. ^And He came nigh and touched 
the bier : and the bearers stood still. And He said, Young 
man, I say unto thee. Arise. ^And he that was dead, sat up 
and began to speak. And He gave him to his mother. And 
fear took hold on all : and they glorified God, saying, ^A great 
prophet is arisen among us : and God hath visited His people. 

^How does the Evangelist begin this story? 
^ Who accompanied Jesus to this city ? 
^ Who met the Lord on the way ? 

* How was Jesus affected, when He saw the weeping mother ? 
^ What did He say unto her ? 

« What else did He do ? 

' What took place upon His word ? 

* How did the amazed people praise God ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Jesus always sympathized cordially with man both in weal 
and in woe; He taught by example, "Rejoice with them that rejoice, 
and weep with them that weep." (Rom. 12: 15.) 

2. Do not think at all, youthful heart, that youth is a sure pro- 
tection against death! The aged must, the young may die. Is the 
Saviour yours, who eventually will gloriously revive you? 

3. Life and death met at the gate of Nain. Life desired to enter; 
death, to go out. Life became master of death. Praise the Lord! 



Jesus lives ; and so shall I. 

Death, thy sting is gone forever: 
He, who deigned for me to die, 

Lives, the bands of death to sever. 
He shall raise me with the just: 

Jesus is my Hope and Trust. 



-O- 



A. D. 30. THE PENITENT SINNER. 221 

25. THE PENITENT SINNER. 
Luke 7. 

^One of the Pharisees desired Jesus that He would eat. 
with him. And He entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat 
down to meat. ""And, behold there was a woman in the city, a 
sinner. When she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's, 
house, she brought an alabaster box of ointment, and standing 
behind at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with 
her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed 
His feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden Him saw it, he 
spake within himself, saying, 'This man, if He were a prophet, 
would have perceived, who and what manner of woman this is, 
which toucheth Him : for she is a sinner. Jesus answering said 
unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he 
saith, Master, say on. *A certain lender had two debtors. The 
one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. When they 
had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Tell me, 
which of them will love him most ? Simon answered and said, 
"^He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And He said 
unto him. Thou hast rightly judged. 

Turning to the woman Jesus said unto Simon. 'Seest 
thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me 
no water for my feet : but she hath wetted my feet with her 
tears and wiped them with her hair. Thou gavest me no kiss ;. 
but she, since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my 
feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint : but she hath 
anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, 
^Her sins, which were many, are forgiven, for she loved much :. 
but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And He 
said unto her, ^Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at 
meat with Him began to say among themselves, 'Who is this 
that forgiveth sins also? And He said unto the woman, ^°Thy 
faith hath saved thee : go in peace. 

* Who had invited the Lord to eat with him ? 
^ What occurred when He sat at the table ? 

^ What did the Pharisee say within himself ? 

* What did Jesus say unto him ? 
° What was Simon's reply ? 
*What did Jesus say to him then? 
' What did He sav of the woman ? 



222 JESUS AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA. A. D. 30. 

' What word of consolation did Jesus sav to the woman ? 
• What did the others at the table begin to say within themselves ? 
^^ What did Jesus say to the woman ? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. It is by no means a disgrace to weep over one's sins; but it is 
* disgrace and a detriment that so many conceal and deny their sins, 
and treat them with indifference and continue in them impenitently. 
(I John 1: 8.) 

2. Not to be ashamed of the Saviour, to fall down at His feet, to 
receive forgiveness by faith, and to lead a new life, is always a sign of 
true repentance. 



Plenteous grace with Thee is found, 
Grace to pardon all my sin; 

Let the healing streams abound. 
Make and keep me pure within. 



-O- 



26. JESUS AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA. 

John 5. 

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went 
up to Jerusalem. ^Now there was in Jerusalem by the sheep 
market a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five 
porches. In these lay a multitude of them that were sick, 
blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For 
an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and trou^ 
hied the water. Whosoever then first after the troubling of the 
water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 
And a certain man was there which had an infirmity thirty and 
^ight years. When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had 
been a long time in that case. He saith unto him, ^Wouldest 
thou be made whole? The sick man answered Him, 'Sir, I 
have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the 
pool : but when I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 
Jesus saith unto him, * Arise, take up thv bed, and walk. 

Now it was the Sabbath on that day. So the Jews said 
unto him that was cured. 'It is the Sabbath : and it is not lawful 
for thee to carry thy bed. But he answered them, 'He that 
made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed and 
walk. Then they asked him. Who is the man that said unto 
thee, Take up thy bed and walk ? But he that was healed wist 



A. D. 30. JESUS AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA. 223 

not who it was, for Jesus had conveyed Himself away, a multi- 
tude being in the place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the 
temple, and said unto him, 'Behold, thou art made whole : sin 
no more lest a worse thing befall thee. 

The man went away, and told the Jews, that it was Jesus, 
which had made him whole. ^Therefore did the Jews persecute 
Jesus, and sought to slay Him, because He had done these 
things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, My Father 
worketh even until now, and I work. Therefore the Jews 
sought the more to kill Him, ''because He not only brake the 
Sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making Him- 
self equal with God. Then Jesus answered and said unto 
them. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father 
which sent Him. "Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that 
heareth my word, and believeth Him that sent me, hath eternal 
life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of 
death into life. "Verily, verily, I say unto you. The hour 
cometh, and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the 
Son of God : and they that hear shall live. 

^ What is said of Bethesda in this story ? 

^ What did Jesus say to the man who had been sick for thirty-eight 

years ? 
'What was the sick man's reply? 
*What did Jesus then say unto him? 
•^ What objection did the Jews raise? 
' How did the healed man answer them ? 
^ What did Jesus say when He found him in the temple ! 
*How did the Jews treat Jesus? 
® What angered them still more ? 
^"How does Jesus testify as to His divine mission? 
"How does He prove His power? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Oh, thou heart of Jesus, full of sympathy and mercy! If no 
one has compassion for the sufferer, no eye sees him, no hand moves to 
help him, then Thou art merciful, and dost help mightily, dost help 
perfectly ! 

2. It is an evil kind that seeks to criticise not only the imperfect 
works of man, but even the perfect works of God, forgetting import- 
ant things over unimportant ones. 

3. Is this thy gratitude, oh thankless world? Thou dost try to 
destroy the holy Son of God, thy greatest benefactor. Be patient! 
Another sound will be heard: His voice will penetrate even into the 
graves, and where will they be, that deal treacherously! 



224 SOME PARABLES OF JESUS, A. D. 30. 

Jesus, most merciful and kind, 
Beloved and loving, both combined; 
Jesus, Thou good and gracious One! 
Of Mary and of God, the Son. 
Let saints below and saints above 
Show forth Thy faithful, endless love. 



2^]. SOME PARABLES OF JESUS. 

Matt. 13. Mark. 4. Luke 8: 1-11. 

It came to pass afterward, that Jesus went about through 
cities and villages preaching and bringing the good tidings of 
the kingdom of God. And when much people were gathered 
together and were come to Him out of the cities, He spake by 
a parable : ^A sower went out to sow his seed : and as he sowed, 
some fell by the wayside, and it was trodden under foot, and 
the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; 
and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no 
moisture. And some fell among thorns ; and the thorns grew 
with it, and choked it. And other fell into good ground, and 
grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. 

When He had said these things, He cried. He that hath 
ears to hear, let him hear. And His disciples asked Him, What 
this parable might be. And He said, ^The seed is the word of 
God. ^And those by the way side are they that hear; then 
cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, 
that they may not believe and be saved. *And those on the rock 
are they which, when they hear, receive the word with joy, and 
these have no root : for a while they believe, and in time of 
temptation fall away. ^And that which fell among the thorns 
are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked 
with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no 
fruit. ^But that on the good ground are they, which in an 
honest and good heart, having heard the word, and bring 
forth fruit with patience. 

Another parable set He before them, saying, ''The kingdom 
of Heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man 
took, and sowed it in his field, which is the least of all seeds : 
but when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs, and be- 
cometh a tree so that the birds of Heaven come and lodge in. 
the branches thereof. 



A. D. 30. SOME PARABLES OF JESUS. 225 

Another parable spake He unto them, ^The kingdom of 
Heaven is Hke unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in 
three measures of meal, till it was all leavened. 

^Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure 
hidden in the field; which a man found and hid, and for joy 
thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 

^° Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is 
a merchant seeking goodly pearls, and having found one pearl 
of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 

^ Repeat the parable of the sower. 
^ What does the seed represent ? 

^ What does the Lord say of the seed on the wayside ? 
* What are we to understand by the rocky field ? 
^ What kind of hearers are represented by the thorny field? 
° What is the good land to teach us ? 
^ Repeat the parable of the mustard seed. 

' Unto what else does the Lord liken the kingdom of heaven? 
® Repeat the parable of the treasure in the field. 
^^ Repeat the parable of the pearl of great price. 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If preaching is to bring fruit, it is not enough that the 
minister is truly a man of God, rightly dividing and expounding the 
word; the hearts of the hearers must be in a corresponding condition. 
(Heb. 4: 2.) 

2. Therefore watch carefully the condition of your heart. Is your 
heart like the wayside, let it be broken with the ploughshare of the 
divine word; is it like the stony field, let it be crushed with the ham- 
mer of the law; if it is like a field of thorns, tear out the thorns with 
thorough repentance, that it may become good ground, 

3. All truly great things have a small beginning — even the 
kingdom of God. Behold how the small mustard seed spreads out, and 
how the power of the Gospel penetrates, leavenlike, into the heart and 
life and effects a change, 

4. Do you not yet perceive how desirable and full of bliss are the 
treasures and gifts of the kingdom of God? How like a costly treasure 
and a pearl of great price? Blessed is he who seeks and finds the 
treasures of heaven and willingly gives all he has for them. 



Let not the world engage our love, 
Nor cares our bosoms fill; 

But fix our hearts on things above 
That we may do Thy wilL 



15 



226 JESUS STILLETH THE TEMPEST. A. D. 31. 

2S. JESUS STILLETH THE TEMPEST. 

Matt. 8: 18-27. Luke 8: 22-25. 

Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He 
gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And there 
came a scribe and said unto Him, 'Master, I will loUow Thee 
whithersoever Thou goest. Jesus saith unto him, ^The foxes 
have holes and the birds of the Heaven have nests ; but the 
son of man hath not where to lay his head. And another of the 
disciples said unto Him, 'Lord suffer me first to go and bury 
my father. But Jesus saith unto him, ^Follow me ; and let the 
dead bury their dead. 

And it came to pass on one of those days that He entered 
into a boat, Himself and His disciples, and He said unto them, 
^Let us go over unto the other side of the lake, and they 
launched forth. ^But as they sailed He fell asleep. ^And there 
came down a storm of wind on the lake ; and they were filling 
with water, and were in jeopardy. ^And they came to Him, 
and awoke Him, saying, Master, Master, we perish. ^Then He 
arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water; and 
they ceased and there was a calm. And He said unto them, 
^"Where is your faith? And being afraid they marvelled, say- 
ing one to another, "What manner of man is this ! For He 
commandeth even the winds and the waters, and they obey 
Him. 

^ How did a scribe address Jesus ? 

^ What did Jesus say unto him ? 

^ What did one of His disciples ask of Him ? 

* What did Jesus answer him ? 

''What did Jesus say unto His disciples one day? 

® What is mentioned in particular, of Jesus ? 

^ What occurred when Jesus slept ? 

^ What did His disciples do? 

'And what did Jesus do? 

*" How did He rebuke their want of faith ? 

"What did the disciples say among themselves? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. A quick fervor and a good opinion are not yet conversion and 
walking in a godly life. Following the Lord and self-denial must go 
together. You cannot have Jesus and at the same time your burrows, 
nests, honors and conveniences. 

2. "Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule." (Ps. 32: 9.) 



A. D. 31. JAIRUS' DAUGHTER, AND THE SICK WOMAN. 227 

Spirited horses must be restrained; lazy ones must be driven. The 
Lord treated the two applicants in this way. 

3. Despair not, O Church of Jesus! Though thou art compared 
with a ship driven back and forth by so many a storm in this disquiet 
ocean of the world, Jesus, whom the winds and sea obey, is with 
thee. (Ps. 46.) 



O Lord, the pilot's part perform, 
And guide and guard me through the storm, 
Defend me from each threatening ill: 
Control the waves ; say " Peace ! be still." . 
Though tempest-tossed and half a wreck. 
My Saviour through the floods I seek; 
Let neither winds nor stormy main. 
Force back my shattered bark again. . 



-O 



29. JAIRUS' DAUGHTER, AND THE SICK WOMAN. 

Matt. 9: 18-25. Mark 5: 21-43. Luke 8: 40-56. 

And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed Him ; for 
they were all waiting for Him ! 'And, behold, there came a 
man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue : and he fell down 
at Jesus' feet, and besought Him to come into his house. Tor 
he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she lay 
dying. But as He went the multitudes thronged Him. 

^And a woman having a sickness twelve years, had spent 
all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any. 
She came behind Him, and touched the border of His gar- 
ment ; and immediately she felt that she was healed of her 
disease. And Jesus said. Who touched me ? When all denied, 
Peter said, and they that were with him, ^Master, the multi- 
tudes press Thee and crush Thee, and sayest Thou Who 
touched me ? But Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me : for 
I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. "And when the wom- 
an saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling 
down before Him, declared in the presence of all the people, 
for what cause she touched Him, and how she was healed im- 
mediately. And he said unto her, ^Daughter, be of good com- 
fort ; thy faith hath made thee whole ; go in peace. 

While He yet spake, there came one from the ruler of 
the synagogue's house, saying, ^Thy daughter is dead ; trouble 
not the Master. Jesus hearing it, answered him, saying, Tear 



228 JAIRUS' DAUGHTER, AND THE SICK WOMAN. A. D. 31v 

not : believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when He 
came to the house, He suffered no man to go in, save Peter and 
James and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 
And all were weeping and bewailing her. But ^°He said. 
Weep not ; for she is not dead, but sleepeth. "And they 
laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. ''^And He 
put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying. 
Maid, arise. And her spirit returned, and she rose up imme- 
diately. And He commanded that something be given her to 
eat. And her parents were amazed. But He charged them 
to tell no man what had been done. 

^ What happened when Jesus returned ? 

^ Why was Jesus asked to come into the house of Jairus? 

^ What took place on the way ? 

*What did Jesus say? 

^What did Peter reply? 

'What did the woman say when Jesus repeated His words? 

^ How did Jesus dismiss the woman ? 

^ What report did one of Jairus' servants bring him ? 

^ What did Jesus then say to Jairus ? 
" How did He comfort the weeping parents ? 
^^ How did those present receive His words ? 
" What did Jesus do now and what did He command ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The Saviour is greatly pleased even today, and does not com- 
plain, if the multitudes crowd Him, and all kinds of people that labor 
and are heavy laden come from all sides, seeking His help. 

2. Observe how the world can w^eep and laugh at the same mo- 
ment; but neither is heartfelt. Only after the Lord has manifested 
His life-giving power are the hearts moved and filled with amazement 
and astonishment. 



In the weary nights of sickness, 

In the throes of grief and pain. 
When we feel our mortal weakness, 
When all human help is vain. 
By Thy mercy, 
Oh, deliver us, good Lord! 



A. D. 32. JOHN THE BAPTIST IS BEHEADED. 229 

30. JOHN THE BAPTIST IS BEHEADED. 

Matt. U: 1-12. Mark 6: 16-29. Luke 9: 7-9. 

Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put 
him in prison 'for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's 
wife; for he had married her. For John said unto him, It is 
not lawful for thee to have her. And 'Herodias set herself 
against him, and desired to kill him; and she could not. ^For 
Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous man and 
a holy ; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard 
him gladly. He also feared the multitude, because they count- 
ed him as a prophet. 

Now wdien John heard in prison the works of Christ, he 
sent two of his disciples, and said unto Him, *Art Thou He 
that should come, or look we for another? Jesus answered 
and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye do 
hear and see. The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, 
the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the poor 
have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whoso- 
ever shall not be offended in me. 

And when Herod on his birthday made a supper to the 
chief men of Galilee, \he daughter of Herodias came in and 
danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat at meat. Then 
the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me wdiatever thou wilt, 
and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, ^Whatsoever 
thou wilt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto th^ half of my 
kingdom. And she went out and said unto her mother, 
What shall I ask? And she said. The head of John the Bap- 
tist. And she came in with haste unto the king, and said, 
^I will that thou forthwith give me in a charger the head of 
John the Baptist. ^The king was exceeding sorry; but for 
the sake of his oath, and of them that sat at meat, he would 
not reject her. "And straightway the king sent an execu- 
tioner and commanded to bring his head. And he went and 
beheaded him in prison, and brought his head in a charger, 
and gave it to the damsel : and the damsel gave it to her 
mother. "When the disciples of John heard thereof, they came 
and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. 

At that time Herod heard the report concerning Jesus. 
And he said unto his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he 
is risen from the dead ; therefore he doeth such works. And 
the apostles came to Jesus, and told Him all. 



230 JESUS FEEDETH FIVE THOUSAND MEN. A. D. 32. 

^ Why had Herod cast John into prison ? 

2 What did Herodias wish to do unto John? 

^ Why could she not ? 

^ What question did John in prison ask Jesus? 

^ What did Jesus say to John's messengers ? 

* What occurred when Herod and many guests celebrated his 
birthday ? 

^ What did Herod promise Herodias on his oath ? 

^ What did she ask on the evil advice of her mother ? 

** Why did he grant this cruel petition, though it made him sorry? 
1° What did they do unto John ? 

" What honor did his disciples show him afterwards ? 
" What did Herod say to his servants, when he heard of Jesus ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Xothing will save from despair, when it is seen how great and 
small defy the truth and trample on justice, except faith in divine 
providence and a future retribution. 

2. It is too bad that not infrequently offense goes forth from the 
palaces of the prominent people. Avoid their example, for God will 
visit punishment for the sins of the great as well as for those of the 
common people. 

3. What terrible results may follow from a frivolous dance, 
or a passing sensual feast ! And vet how often one hears, " It will 
not hurt! '' "^ . 



At His call, the dead awaken, 
Else to life from earth and sea; 

All the powers of nature shaken 
By His look, prepare to flee: 

Careless sinner, 
What will become of thee? 



31. JESUS FEEDETH FIVE THOUSAND MEN, AND 
WALKETH UPON THE SEA. 

Matt. 14. *Mark 6. Luke 9. John 6. 

After these things Jesus went over the sea at the city of 
Tiberias in GaHlee. 'And a great multitude followed Him, 
because they saw His miracles, which He did on them that were 
sick. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there He sat 
with His disciples. Now the passover, the feast of the Jews, 
was at hand. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes and saw a 
great multitude come unto Him ; and ^He was moved with 



A. D. 32. JESUS FEEDETH FIVE THOUSAND MEN. 231 

compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not hav- 
.ing* a shepherd : and He began to teach them many things of 
the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of heahng. 
And the day began to wear away. Then came the twelve and 
said unto Him, 'Send the multitude away, that they may go 
into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get 
victuals : for we are here in a desert place. But He said unto 
them. Give ye them to eat. And Jesus said unto Philip, 
Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat? And this He 
said to prove him : for He Himself knew what He would do. 
Philip answered Him, *Two hundred pennyworth of bread is 
not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. One 
of His disciples, Andrew, saith unto Him, ^There is a lad here, 
which hath five barley loaves and two fishes : but what are 
these among so many? 

Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was 
much grass in the place. So the men sat down upon the 
green grass, in number about five thousand, in ranks by hun- 
dreds and by fifties. "And Jesus took the loaves, and when He 
had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples, and the dis- 
ciples to them that were set down ; and likewise of the fishes 
as much as they would. And when they were filled, He said 
unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that 
nothing be lost. '^So they gathered them up, and filled twelve 
baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which 
remained over unto them that had eaten. When therefore 
the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, 'this is 
of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world. "When 
Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him 
by force to make Him king, He withdrew again into a moun- 
tain Himself alone. 

And when evening came, His disciples went down unto 
the sea and entered into a boat and were going over to Caper- 
naum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come 
to them. And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind 
that blew, and they were distressed by the waves. ^^ About 
the fourth watch of the night, Jesus cometh unto them, walk- 
ing on the sea. And when His disciples saw Him walking 
on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is an apparition ; 
and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto 
them, saying, "Be of good cheer, it is I. Peter answered Him 



232 JESUS FEEDETH FIVE THOUSAND MEN. A. D. 32. 

and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come imto Thee upon 
the waters. And He said, Come. "^'And Peter went down 
from the boat and went upon the waters to come to Jesus. 
But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid; and begin- 
ning to sink, he cried out, saying. Lord, save me. And 
Jesus stretched forth His hand, and took hold of him, and 
saith, ^^O thou of Uttle faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 
And they went up into the boat, and the wind ceased. "And 
they that were in the boat, came and worshiped Him, saying 
Of a truth, Thou art the Son of God. 

^ What occurred when Jesus went across the sea? 

^ \^Tiat did Jesus do. when He saw the people? 

^ What did the disciple say unto Jesus ? 

*How does Philip calculate, when Jesus said, give ye them to eat? 

^ What did Andrew say to this ? 

® What did Jesus do when about five thousand men had sat down? 

" How many fragments were gathered ? 

® What did the people now say concerning Jesus ? 

'Where did Jesus go after this? 
^°How did Jesus return to His disciples? 
"What did He say unto them, when they thought they had seen an 

apparition ? 
" What was Peter's experience, when he tried to walk on the water ? 
^ What did Jesus say unt^ him ? 
"What did the people in the boat do? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. You will seek in vain for a better friend and a greater bene- 
factor than Jesus, for He has. more than any one else, a clear eye, a 
sympathetic heart, and a plenteous, strong and willing hand. 

2. INIark this beautiful teaching: Jesus first provides for the 
spiritual needs of the people; He feeds their souls with the word of 
God, before He thinks of their physical wants. (Matt. 6: 33.) 

3. The number of Jesus' disciples would no doubt be greater, if 
He always provided bread and fishes, free miraculous food; but 
Jesus desires not to be a '" bread-king." but the king of our hearts. 



In some way or other the Lord will provide; 

It may not be my way, 
It may not be thy way, 
And yet in His own way, 
The Lord will provide. 

O 



A. D. 32. THE WOMAN OF CANAAN. 233 

32. THE WOMAN OF CANAAN. 
Matt. 15. Mark 7. 

Thereafter Jesus went about in Galilee : for He would not 
go about in Judaea, 'because the Jews sought to kill Him. ^And 
Jesus went out thence, and withdrew into the borders of Tyre 
and Sidon, and entered into a house, and would have no 
man know it : but He could not be hid ; for ^a Canaanitish 
woman, whose daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard 
of Him, came and fell down at His feet saying, *0 Lord, 
Thou son of David, have mercy on me ; my daughter is griev- 
ously vexed with a devil. But He answered her not a word. 
And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, ^Send her 
away; for she crieth after us. 

But Jesus answered, ''I am not sent but unto the lost sheep 
of the house of Israel. But she came and worshiped Him, 
saying, Lord, help me. And He answered and said, ^It is 
not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to the dogs. 
But she said, ^Yea, Lord ; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs 
which fall from their master's table. Then answered Jesus 
and said unto her, ^O woman, great is thy faith : be it done 
unto thee even as thou wilt. And '"her daughter was healed 
from that hour. 

^Why did Jesus go about in Galilee, and not in Judaea? 

* Where did He go afterwards? 
^Why could He not remain hid? 
^How did the woman address Jesus? 

^What did His disciples say, when Jesus made no reply? 
^ What was Jesus' answer ? 

''' What did He say unto the woman, when she kept on beseeching 
Him? 

* How did the woman receive such a humiliation ? 
® What did Jesus then say unto her ? 

" What was the result of her perseverance ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If, perhaps, you, O father, mother, have an unfortunate child 
that is " vexed with a devil " — with the spirit of disobedience, of re- 
fractoriness, of vanity — I can give no better advice than this : Carry 
your child in the arms of prayer to Jesus. 

2. The faith of the Canaanitish woman was great indeed, if one 
remembers, ^) the sterility of the soil on which it grew; ^) the obsta- 
cles it surmounted; ^) the victory it achieved. 



234 A DEAF-MUTE AND A BLIND MAN HEALED. A. D. 32. 

Great God, now condescend 

To bless our rising race; 
Soon may their willing spirits bend, 

The subjects of Thy grace. 
Oh, what a piu^e delight 

Their happiness to see; 
Our warmest wishes all unite, 

To lead their souls to Thee. 



3S' A DEAF-MUTE AXD A BLIND MAN HEALED. 

Mark 7, 8. 

When Jesus departed again from Tyre and Sidon, He 
came unto the sea of Gahlee. And ^they brought unto Him one 
that was deaf, and had an impediment ir his speech ; and they 
besought Him to lay His hand upon him. And ^He took him 
aside from the multitude privately, and put His fingers into 
his ears, and He spat, and touched his tongue ; and looking up 
to heaven, He sighed, and said unto him, Ephphatha, that is. 
Be opened. And straightway his cars were opened, and the 
bond of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And He 
charged them that they should tell no man. But the more 
He charged them, so much the more they published it ; and they 
were beyond measure astonished, saying, ^He hath done all 
things well: He maketh the deaf to hear, and the dumb to 
speak. 

And Jesus came to Bethsaida. *And they brought to Him 
a blind man, and besought Him to touch him. And ^He took 
the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the village; 
and when He had spat on his eyes, and laid His hands upon 
him, He asked him, Seest thou aught ? And he looked up, and 
said, 'I see men as trees, walking. '^Then again He laid His 
hands upon his eyes, and made him look up : and he was re- 
stored and saw everything clearly. And He sent him home; 
saying. Tell it not to anyone. 

^ What occurred when Jesus came again to the sea of Galilee ? 

^ How did' the Lord heal the deaf-mute ? 

' What did the people say when they beheld this miracle ? 

*Whom did they bring to Jesus in Bethsaida? 

^ What did Jesus do with the blind man ? 

®What did he answer when Jesus asked him whether he could see? 

'WTiat else did Jesus do unto him? 



A. D. 82. THE MAN THAT WAS BORN BLIND. 235 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. The Lord took the deaf-mute aside from the people. Christ 
acts in this way today. You have experienced days in which His help 
and grace fell upon you like showers, or in which He visited you above 
others with trials and tribulations. Did you recognize His object? 

2. Oh, how many people are yet spiritually blind — who know 
not the things which belong unto their peace; spiritually deaf — who 
hear not the calling voice of divine grace ; spiritually mute — if they 
are to speak to God in prayer and proclaim His glory. Remember, 
Jesus is the Physician for the soul. 



Bless, my soul, the God of grace, 
His favors claim thy highest praise; 
Why should the wonders He hath wrought 
Be lost in silence, and forgot? 



-O- 



34. THE MAN THAT WAS BORN BLIND. 

John 9. 

Jesus passed by and saw a man blind from his birth. And 
His disciples asked Him, ^Master, who did sin, this man, or his 
parents, that he should be born bHnd? Jesus answered, ^Nei- 
ther did this man sin, nor his parents ; but that the works of 
God should be made manifest in him. ^When He had thus 
spoken, He spat on the ground, and made a clay of the spittle, 
and anointed his eyes with the clay, and said unto him, Go, wash 
in the pool of Siloam. ''He went away, therefore, and washed, 
and came seeing. The neighbors, and they which saw 
him aforetime, that he was a beggar, said, Is not this he that sat 
and begged ? Some said, This is he : others said. He is like 
him. Pie himself said, I am he. Now it was the Sabbath 
when Jesus opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees asked him 
how he received his sight. And he said, ^The man that is 
called Jesus, put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 
Then said some of the Pharisees, This man is not from God, 
because He keepeth not the Sabbath. But others said, how 
can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was a 
division among them. They say unto the blind man again, 
What sayest thou of Him in that He opened thine eyes? And 
And he said, ^He is a prophet. 

The Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been 
blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents 



236 THE MAN THAT WAS BORN BLIND. A. D. 32. 

of him that had received his sight; and they asked them, 
saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born bhnd? How 
doth he now see? His parents answered and said, 'We know- 
that this is our son, and that he was born bhnd; but how he 
now seeth, we know not. Ask him, he is of age : he shall 
speak for himself. These things spake his parents, because 
they feared the Jews. Tor the Jews had agreed already, that 
if any man should confess Him to be Christ, he should be put 
out of the synagogue. So they called a second time the man 
that was blind, and said, ^"Give glory to God ; we know that this 
man is a sinner. He answered and said, "Whether he is a 
sinner, I know not : one thing I know, that, whereas I was 
blind, now I see. Then they said to him again. What did He 
do to thee? How opened He thine eyes? He answered 
them, I have told you even now, and ye did not hear. Where- 
fore would ye hear it again? Would ye also become His dis- 
ciples? "Then they reviled him, and said. Thou art His 
disciple; but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God 
hath spoken unto Moses ; but as for this man, we know not 
w^hence He is. The man answered and said unto them, ^^Why 
herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not whence He is, and 
yet He opened mine eyes. We know that God heareth not 
sinners ; but if any man be a worshiper of God, and do His 
will, him He heareth. Since the world began it was never 
heard that any one opened the*eyes of a man born blind. If 
this man were not from God, He could do nothing. "They 
answered and said unto him. Thou wast altogether born in 
sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 

Jesus heard that they had cast him out. And finding him. 
He said, ^^Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He -an- 
swered and said, Who is He, Lord, that I may believe on Him ? 
Jesus said unto him. Thou hast seen Him, and He it is that 
speaketh with thee. And he said, ^^Lord, I believe; and he 
worshiped Him. And Jesus said, "For judgment came I into 
this world, that they which see not, may see ; and that they 
which see may become bhnd. And some of the Pharisees 
which were with Him heard these things, and said unto Him, 
^'Are we also blind? Jesus said unto them, ^'If ye were blind, 
ye would have no sin ; but now ye say, We see ; therefore youi; 
sin remaineth. 

^ What did the disciples ask Jesus concerning the man born blind ? 



A. D. 32. THE MAN THAT WAS BORN BLIND. 287 

2 What did Jesus reply ? 

3 What did Jesus do unto the blind man, and what did He say unto 

him? 
*What took place then? 

^ How did he relate the details of his healing? 
® What did he confess of his wonderful benefactor ? 
^ What did the unbelieving Jews say unto his parents ? 
* How did they answer the Jews ? 
^ Why did they hesitate with their answer ? . 
" What did the Jews say unto him a second time ? 
^^ What reply did they receive this time? 
^- What did the Jews say when he asked whether they wished to 

become His disciples ? 
" What did he reply to their answer ? 
^* What did the unbelieving Jews say at last ? 
' ^^Wliat did Jesus say unto him who had been cast out, when He 
found him ? 
^® What did he answer ? 
" Why did Jesus come into the world ? 
^^ What did the Pharisees say to this ? 
"How did Jesus answer them? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Never be hasty in judging. It is no proof that a person is a 
sinner above others, if God has laid a cross upon him. It often re- 
dounds to the salvation of man and the glory of God. (1 Pet. 4: 19.) 

2. Never be too severe in your judging, if it pertains only to 
trifles. Though Jesus performicd an unheard-of miracle, they censured 
Him for applying clay on the Sabbath! 

3. Be thankful, too. • Be in earnest in the cause of your Saviour, 
if you have received salvation and grace from Him. Do you know, 
too, like the man who had been born blind, what you formerly were 
and what you are now? 



Love divine, all love excelling, 

Joy of heaven, to earth come down, 
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling; 

All Thy faithful mercies crown: 
Jesus, Thou art all compassion. 

Pure unbounded love Thou art; 
Visit us \^ith Thy salvation; 

Enter ev'ry trembling heart. 

o 



238 JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD. A. D. 32. 

35. JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD. 

John 10. 

Jesus said, ''Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth 
not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up 
some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. ^But he 
that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 
To him the porter openeth ; and the sheep hear his voice : and he 
calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. When he 
hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the 
sheep follow him : for they know his voice. And a stranger 
will they not follow, but will flee from him : for they know 
not the voice of strangers. ^This parable spake Jesus unto 
them : but they understood not what things they were which 
He spake unto them. 

Jesus therefore said unto them again. Verily, verily, I say 
unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that came before me 
are thieves and robbers : but the sheep did not hear them. 
T am the door : by me if any man enter, he shall be saved, and 
shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. The thief Com- 
eth not but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy : ^I am come 
that they might have life, and have it more abundantly. 

''I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd layeth 
down his life for the sheep. ^But he that is a hireling, and not 
a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf com- 
ing, and leaveth the sheep and fleeth : and the wolf snatcheth 
them, and scattereth the sheep.. The hireling fleeth, because he 
is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. *I am the good 
shepherd, and I know mine own, and am known of mine, even 
as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father. And I lay 
down my life for the sheep. ^And other sheep have I, which 
are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and they shall 
hear my voice ; and they shall become one flock, and one shep- 
herd. 

And there arose a division among the Jews because of 
these sayings. "Many of them said. He hath a devil, and is 
mad ; why hear ye Him ? ^Others said. These are not the say- 
ings of one possessed; can a devil open the eyes of the blind? 

^ What does Jesus teach concerning false shepherds ? 
^ How does He describe the good shepherd ? 
^How did His hearers understand His parable? 
*What further does Jesus say in His parable? 



A D. 32. PETER AND THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST. 239 

"What are the faithful ones to have in Him? 

• What did Jesus do as the good Shepherd ? 

^ On the other hand, what does a hireling do ? 

* What else does Jesus say as to Himself and His own? 
®What does He say about the heathen nations? 

" What impression did His sayings make upon His hearers ? 
"What did others S3V? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Blessed are they who can say with the Psalmist, " The Lord 
is my shepherd." As a good shepherd faithfully tends his flock, seeks 
the lost, carries the weak, nurses the sick and leads his sheep out and 
in, and on good pasture, thus Jesus cares for His own. (Ps. 23.) 

2. What a consolation, the Lord knows His own! Where is the 
harm, if you are misjudged by short-sighted and envious people, if 
only you are recognized by the Lord, and you know Him and follow His 
voice ! 

3. Do you understand now, that it is our Saviour's will and ob- 
ject, that both Jews and heathen shall be saved? He desires to 
gather the heathens through you, as well as through a missionary 
Church, so that there shall be one shepherd and one flock. 



I am Jesus' little lamb, 
Therefore glad and gay I am; 
Jesus loves me, Jesus knows me. 
All that's good and fair He shows me, 
Tends me ev'ry day the same. 
Even calls me by my name. 



36. PETER AND THE TRANSFIGURATION OF 

CHRIST. 

Matt. 16, 17. Mark 8, 9. Luke 9: 18-36. 

Jesus came into the parts of the village of Csesarea 
Philippi, and He asked His disciples, saying, Who do men 
say that the Son of Man is? ^They said, Some say, Thou art 
John the Baptist ; some, Elias ; and others Jeremias, or one of 
the prophets. He said unto them, But who say ye that I am? 
^And Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son 
of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, 
^Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona : for flesh and blood revealed 
it not unto thee, but my Father in heaven. And I also say 
unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will 



240 PETER AND THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST. A. D. 32. 

build my Church ; and the gates of hell shall not prevail 
against it. 

From that time began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, 
how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things, 
and be killed, and the third day be raised up. And Peter 
began to rebuke Him, saying, ^Be it far from Thee, Lord : this 
shall never be unto Thee. But He turned, and said unto Peter, 
^Get thee behind me, Satan : thou art an oft"ense unto me : for 
thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men. 
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, "If any man would come 
after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and 
follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: 
and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. 
What shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole 
world, and lose his own soul? 

^And after six days Jesus taketh with Him Peter, and 
James, and John his brother and bringeth them up into a 
high mountain apart, *and He was transfigured before them ; 
and His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became 
white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them 
Moses and Elias and talked with Him. And Peter said unto 
Jesus, ^Lord, it is good for us to be here : if Thou wilt, let 
us make here three tabernacles ; one for Thee, and one for 
Moses, and one for Elias. "While he was yet speaking, behold, 
a bright cloud overshadowed them. And behold, a voice out of 
the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well 
pleased; hear ye Him. When the disciples heard it, they fell 
on their face, and were sore afraid. ^And Jesus came and 
touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And lifting 
up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they 
were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, 
saying, ^^Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of Man be 
risen from the dead. 

^ What did the disciples of Jesus answer, when He inquired as to 

the opinion of the people? 
' What was Peter's confession, when He asked, Who say ye that I 

am? 
^ What did Jesus now say unto them ? 

*What did Peter say, Avhen Jesus spoke of His suffering? 
^ What was Jesus' answer ? 
^ What did He say unto all of His disciples? 



A. D. 32 THE GOOD SAMARITAN. 241 

''Which of His disciples did Jesus take with Him upon a high 

mountain ? 
^ What occurred when they were on the mountain ? 
® What was Peter's remark to Jesus ? 
"What took place while Peter was yet speaking? 
" What did Jesus say to His disciples, now sore afraid ? 
^^ What did Jesus command them, when they came down from the 
mountain ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. No man can say Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 
12: 3.) Remember, Christian friend, that you also are anointed 
with the Holy Spirit, that you may confess His name. 

2. Even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small 
beginning of this knowledge and faithful obedience. When Peter says, 
" Thou art the Christ," he speaks properly ; but when he says unto the 
Lord, " Be it far from Thee, Lord," his speech offends the Lord. In 
this instance the old man speaks; in the other, the new. 

3. The Lord shows glimpses of His glory to His own, in order 
to prepare and strengthen them for coming days of suffering. He will 
not hear of tabernacles on the mountain of the transfiguration. 



Who is there like Thee, 
Jesus, unto me? 

None are like Thee, none above Thee, 
Thou are altogether lovely. 
None on earth have we. 
None in heaven, like Thee. 



37. THE GOOD SAMARITAN. 
Luke 10. 

A certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, 
'Master, what -shall I do to inherit eternal life ? And He said 
unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? 
And he answering said, "^Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy 
strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. 
And He said unto him, ^Thou hast answered right : this do, and 
thou shalt live. But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto 
Jesus, *And who is my neighbor? 

Jesus made answer and said, ^A certain man was golno' 
down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, 

16 



242 THE GOOD SAMARITAN. A. D. 32. 

which both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving 

him half dead. ''And by chance a certain priest was going 

down that way : and when he saw him, he passed by. And 

in like manner a Levite, also, when he came to the place, 

and saw him, passed by. ^But a certain Samaritan, as he 

journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had 

compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, 

pouring on them oil and wine ; and he set him on his own 

beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On 

the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and 

gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him, 

and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I 

will repay thee. ^Which of these three; thinkest thou, was 

neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers ? And he said, 

^He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, 

"Go, and do thou likewise. 

It came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a 

certain village : and a certain woman named Martha received 

Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which 

also "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word. '''But Martha 

was cumbered about much serving. And she came to Him, and 

said, '^Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister did leave me to 

serve alone? Bid her, therefore that she help me. But Jesus 

answered and said unto her, "Martha, Martha, thou art anxious 

and troubled about many things : But one thing is needful. 

Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away 

from her. 

^ How did a lawyer address Jesus ? 

^ What was his answer, when Jesus asked him, " What is written 

in the law ? " 
' What did Jesus say unto him then ? 

• What did the lawyer ask Him now ? 

• What was the Lord's reply ? 

•Who passed by the unfortunate man? 

'' Who showed mercy unto him ? 

' What did the Lord now say to the lawyer ? 

• What was his reply ? 
"W^hat did Jesus say at last? 

" What did Mary do when Jesus visited at her house ? 
^^ What is said of her sister Martha ? 
^^ What did Martha say unto Jesus ? 
" What did Jesus say unto her ? 



A. D. 32. THE GREAT SUPPER. 243 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. There were people even in the days of our Saviour that under- 
stood remarkably well to add question to question, yet had few deeds to 
show. But read Luke 10: 28. 

2. After a lesson like this, no one ought to ask, " Who is my 
neighbor?" It is he who is in need of your help, and you ought not 
waste time with questions as to nationality, position, reputation or 
denomination. True charity is impartial and helps according to ability. 

3. Where two serve the Lord, both cannot always do the same 
thing, one Christian ought therefore not censure another, if he serves 
the Lord in a different way. If Martha censures Mary, her censure 
falls back upon herself. 



Christ bound our wounds and poured in oil 

And wine with tender care, 
And bore us to an Inn — His Church — 

And safely lodged us there. — 
What beams of grace and mercy, Lord, 

In Thy example shine! 
Oh, may we give Thee thanks and praise 

By showing love like Thine. 



38. THE GREAT SUPPER. 

Luke 14. 

Jesus went through the cities and villages, teaching, and 
journeying on unto Jerusalem. And it came to pass that He 
went Mnto the house of the chief of Pharisees to eat bread. 
And he spake a parable to the guests, when he remarked how 
they chose out the chief seats ; saying, ^When thou art bidden 
of any man to a marriage feast, sit not down in the. chief seat ; 
lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him ; and 
he that bade thee and him shall come and say to thee, Give 
this man place ; and then thou begin with shame to take the 
lowest place. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in 
the lowest place ; that when he that hath bidden thee cometh, he 
may say to thee. Friend go up higher. Then shalt thou have 
glory in the presence of all that sit at meat with thee. For 
Vhosoever humbleth himself shall be exalted. 

Jesus said to him also that had bidden Him, *When thou 
makest a dinner or supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, 
nor thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors ; lest haply they also bid 
thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thoti 



244 THE GREAT SUPPER. A. D. 32. 

makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind : 
and thou shalt be blessed ; because they have not wherewith 
to recompense thee : for thou shalt be recompensed in the 
resurrection of the just. And when one of them that sat at 
meat heard these things, he said unto him, ^Blessed is he that 
shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 

But Jesus said unto him, 'A certain man made a great 
supper, and he bade many. And he sent forth his servants, at 
supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come ; for all 
things are now ready. Wnd they all began to make excuse. 
*The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must 
needs go out and see it : I pray thee have me excused. And an- 
other said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to 
prove them : I pray thee have me excused. And another said, 
I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 

And the servant came, and told his lord these things. 
^Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant. 
Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring 
in hither the poor and maimed and lame and blind. And the 
servant said, Lord, what thou didst command is done, and yet 
there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, "Go out 
into the highways and hedges and constrain them to come in, 
that my house mav be filled. ^For I say unto you, that none 
of those men which were bidden shall taste my supper. 

^ Wliere did Jesus come, when going to Jerusalem ? 

^ What did He say to the guests that tried to get the chief seats ? 

^ What particular lesson were they to learn from His parable. 

* What did He say to the host ? 

^ What remark was made by one of the guests ? 

" What else did Jesus say in a parable ? 

■^ What did the invited guests say when they were told to comeT 

* What excuses did they make? 

'What occurred when the master of the house heard it? 
^° What report did the servant bring, who had been sent forth? 
^^ Where did his master send him again ? 
^ What did his master say of those who despised his supper ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Time is short. Jesus knew this A*ery well, since only three 
years were allowed Him for His extensive work: He therefore made 
use even of His mealtime, to minister in His great office. " Be not 
slothful in business." (Rom. 12: 11.) 

2. True love is yielding, ready for sacrifices; true lore practices 



A. D. 32. THE PRODIGAL SON. * 245 

charity, where it cannot hope to receive. " For if ye love them that 
love you, what thank have ye? Sinners also love those that love 
them." (Luke 6: 32.) 

3. The Pharisee remarks haughtily and thoughtlessly, " Blessed 
is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." He felt un- 
comfortable because of the chiding remarks of the Lord and tried, in a 
polite way, to change the subject. But the Lord showed him, that 
they were the very ones who rejected God's invitation to the table of 
grace, in consequence of which the despised heathens should be called. 



God calling yet! shall I not hear? 
Earth's pleasures shall I still hold dear? 
Shall life's swift passing years all fly, 
And will my soul in slumber lie? 
God calling yet! and shall I give 
No heed ; but still in bondage live ? 
I wait, but He does not forsake; 
He calls me still; my heart, awake! 



-O- 



39. THE PRODIGAL SON. 

Luke 15. 

Jesus was teaching and said, A certain man had two sons : 
and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the 
portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto 
them his Hving. ^And not many days after the younger son 
gathered all together and took his journey into a far country, 
and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. ^And 
when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that 
country ; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined 
himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent 
him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have 
been filled with the husks that the swine did eat : and no man 
gave unto him. But when he came to himself, he said, *How 
many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to 
spare, and I perish with hunger ! I will arise and go to my 
father, and I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against 
heaven, and in thy sight : I am no more worthy to be called thy 
son : make me as one of thy hired servants. 

And he arose, and came to his father. ^But while he was 
yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with com- 
passion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And 
the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, 



246 • THE PRODIGAL SON. A. D. 32. 

and in thy sight, I am no more worthy to be called thy son. 
But the father said to his servants, "Bring forth the best robe, 
and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his 
feet, and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it ; and let us eat, 
and drink and make merry : for this my son was dead, and is 
alive again ; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be 
merry. 

'Xow his elder son was in the field; and as he came and 
as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and 
dancing ; and he called to him one of the servants, and inquired 
Avhat these things might be. And he said unto him, "Thy 
brother is come ; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, be- 
cause he hath received him safe and sound. ^And he was an- 
gry, and would not go in. And his father came out, and in- 
treated him. But he answered and said to his father, ^°Lo, 
these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a 
commandment of thine : and yet thou never gavest me a kid, 
that I might make merry with my friends. But when this thy 
son came, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou 
killedst for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, "Son, 
thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine. But it was 
meet that we should make merry : for this thy brother was 
dead, and is alive again; and was lost and is found. 

^ \Yhat did the younorer son say to his father? 

^ \Yhat did he do with his portion ? 

^ How' did he fare among strangers ? 

* \Yhat did he say, when he came to himself ? 

^ How did his father receive him, when he returned? 

® What did the father say. to his servants? 

" What is rehited of the elder brother ? 

® What reply did he receive from the servant ? 

''What remarks did he make? 

^° V\'hat did he say to his father, when asked to come in? 
"What representations did his father now make? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Observe the result, when a man willfully tears himself away 
from God. and squanders his inheritance and his talents, and rushes 
from sin to sin; he finally reaches the greatest misery. 

2. It is no disgrace to confess and regret one's sins before God 
and man. but it is a disgrace to have sinned and to remain in sins. 

3. Be^A'are of the spirit of surliness if God receives your erring 



A D. 32. THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. 247 

brother in grace and into glory, when he returns. — The elder son clearly 
represents the self righteous Pharisees; the younger son, the heathen. 
(Luke 15: 2.) 



Return, O wanderer, return. 

And seek an injured Father's face; 
Those warm desires that in thee burn, 

Were kindled by reclaiming grace. 
Return, wanderer, return. 

Thy Saviour bids thy spirit live; 
Go to His bleeding feet, and learn 

How freely Jesus can forgive. 



-O- 



40. THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS. 
Luke 16: 19-31. 

There was a certain rich man, and ^he was clothed in pur- 
ple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day. And a certain 
beggar named Lazarus Vas laid at his gate, full of sores, and 
desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man*s 
table : moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. ^And it 
came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried 
away by the angels into Abraham's bosom. "And the rich man 
also died, and was buried. ^And in hell he lifted up his eyes, 
being in torment, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus 
in his bosom ; and he cried and said, Father Abraham, have 
mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his 
finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in 
this flame. 

But Abraham said, "Son, remember, that thou in thy life- 
time receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner 
evil things : but now he is comforted, and thou art in anguish. 
'And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf 
fixed : that they which would pass from hence to you cannot ; 
neither can they pass to us from thence. Then he said, ^I pray 
thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my 
father's house : for I have five brethren ; that he may testify un- 
to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. But 
Abraham saith, ^They have Moses and the prophets ; let them 
hear them. And he said, ^"Nay, father Abraham : but if one go 
to them from the dead, they will repent. Abraham saith unto 
him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they 
be persuaded, if one rise from the dead. 



248 CHRIST RAT5ETH LAZARUS. A.D. 3. 

^ What does Jesus say of the rich man ? 

^ How did poor Lazarus fare ? 

^ What else is related of him ? 

^ What happened to the rich man? 

^ Whom did he see now, and how did he pray ? 

® What answer did he receive ? 

' Why was it impossible to grant his prayer. 

^ What did he ask afterward of Abraham? 

® What was Abraham's reply? 
^° What, however, was the rich man's opinion ? 
^ With what words did Abraham refute this opinion ? • 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. To be rich is no sin; yet be master over your wealth, and not 
its slave. Luxury — to live in revel and riot — stifles every good 
thought and every better sentiment of the heart. (Jas. 5:1.) 

2. Poverty as such will not save; but if the poor man bears his 
burden patiently and is satisfied with that which the Lord provides, he 
will be acc-eptable to Him. Kiches and poverty come not by chance. 

3. Do not depend on the appearance of spirits; they might harm 
you more than help you. You have the word of God: if you will not 
believe it you would not believe a messenger from the regions of the 
dead. 



May we Thy bounties thus. 
As stewards true receive. 

And gladly, as Thou blessest us, 
To Thee our first-fruits give. 



41. CHRIST RAISETH LAZARUS. 

John 11. 

A certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany. His sisters 
therefore sent unto Jesus, saying. ^Lord, behold, he whom Thou 
lovest is sick. When Jesus heard it, He said, 'This sickness 
is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of 
God may be glorified thereby. Now Jesus loved Martha, and 
her sister, and Lazarus. When He heard that he was sick, 
He abode two days in the place where He was. After this He 
saith to His disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. His disci- 
ples sav unto Him, ]\Iaster, the Jews were but now seeking to 
stone Thee: and goest thou thither again? Jesus saith unto 
them, 'Our friend Lazarus is dead ; but I go, that I may awake 



A. D. 32. CHRIST RAISETH LAZARUS. 249 

him. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the 
intent ye may beUeve ; nevertheless let us go unto him. 

When Jesus came, He found that he had been in the tomb 
four days already. And many of the Jews had come to Martha 
and Mary to console them concerning their brother. Then 
Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and 
met Him : but Mary still sat in the house. Then said Martha 
unto Jesus, ^Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not 
died ; but I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of 
God, He will give Thee. Jesus saith unto her, "Thy brother 
shall rise again. Martha saith unto Him, ^I know that he shall 
rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto 
her, ^I am the resurrection, and the life. He that believeth in 
me, though he die, yet shall he live. Believest thou this ? She 
saith unto Him, ^Yea, Lord : I believe that Thou art the Christ, 
the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when 
she had said this, she went away, and called Mary her sister 
secretly, saying, The Master is here, and calleth thee. And 
she, when she heard it, arose quickly, and came unto Him. 
For Jesus was not yet come into the village. 

When Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she 
fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, ^°Lord, if Thou hadst 
been here, my brother had not died. "When Jesus saw her 
weeping, He was troubled, and said. Where have ye laid him? 
They said unto Him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then 
said the Jews, Behold how He loved him ! But some of them 
said, ^^Could not this man which opened the eyes of the blind 
have caused that this man also should not die? And Jesus 
came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 
Jesus saith. Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of 
him that was dead, saith unto Him, Lord, by this time he 
stinketh : for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto 
her. Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldst 
see the glory of God? So they took away the stone from the 
place where the dead was laid. And ^^Jesus lifted up His eyes, 
and said. Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard me; and 
he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And "he 
that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave- 
clothes : and his face was bound with a napkin. Jesus saith 
unto them; Loose him, and let him go. 

^ What message (Jid the sisters of Lazarus send to Jesus ? 



250 THE LAST JOURNEY OF JESUS TO JERUSALEM. A. D. 33. 

*What did Jesus say when He heard it? 

^ What did Jesus say to His disciples after two days ? 

* Where did Jesus find Lazarus when He came ? 

° What did Martha say to Jesus, when she met Him ? 

® What word of comfort did He say to her ? 

^ What was her reply ? 

^ What assurance did Jesus give her then ? 

® What confession does Martha make now ? 

^° What did Mary say to Jesus, when she fell down before Him? 
" How was Jesus affected, when He saw Mary weeping ? 
" What did some of the Jews say about Jesus ? 
" What did Jesus do when they had lifted away the stone ? 
" What took place, when Jesus called Lazarus with a loud voice ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Trials and tribulations may enter the homes of the godly, too; 
but it is to prove their faith, and for the manifestation of God's glory. 
The darker the nights, the brighter the suars. 

2. How well it is, in times of trouble, to seek refuge with a 
Friend, who is greater than the trouble. Choose Jesus for the dearest 
friend of your home and your soul. 

3. Lazarus was given back to his sisters — but only to lose him 
by death once more. When Jesus will at last awake our dear ones 
dead, they shall never die again. 



Everything Ave have and cherish 

Hastens onward to the grave; 
Earthly joys and pleasures perish. 

Time can nothing, nothing save. 
Oh, abide, abide with Jesus, 

Who Himself forever lives, 
Who from death eternal frees us 

And who life eternal gives! 



42. THE LAST JOURNEY OF JESUS TO JERUSALEM. 

Luke 17, 18. 

And It came to pass, as Jesus went to Jerusalem, that He 
passed through the midst of Samaria and GaHlee. And ^as He 
entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were 
lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, 
saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when He saw 
them. He said unto them, "Go and show yourselves \mto the 
priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were cleansed. 



A. D. 33. THE LAST JOURNEY OF JESUS TO JERUSALEM. 251 

And ''one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned 
back, with a loud voice glorifying God, and he fell upon his 
face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samari- 
tan. And Jesus answering said, *Were not the ten cleansed? 
but where are the nine ? Were there none found that returned 
to give glory to God, save this stranger? And He said unto 
him. Arise, and go thy way : thy faith hath made thee whole. 

And ^they brought unto Him also their babes, that He 
should touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they re- 
buked them. But Jesus called them unto Him, saying, ^Suffer 
little children to come unto me, and forbid them not : for of 
such is the kingdom of God. Verily, I say unto you, Whoso- 
ever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he 
shall not enter therein. 

'And it came to pass, as He drew nigh unto Jericho, a 
blind man sat by the wayside begging. And hearing a multi- 
tude going by, he inquired what this meant. And they told 
him that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, 
''Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me ! And they 
that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace. 
But "he cried out so much the more, Thou son of David, have 
mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be 
brought unto Him. And when he was come near. He asked 
him, saying, '^What wilt thou that I should do unto thee ? And 
he said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said 
unto him, ^^Receive thy sight : thy faith hath made thee whole. 
"And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, 
glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave 
praise unto God. 

^ What occurred when Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem ? 

^ What command did Jesus give the ten lepers crying for His mercy? 

^ What did one of them do, when he saw that he was healed? 

*What did Jesus say to him? 

^ Why did they bring babes unto Him ? 

•'What did He say to the disciples that rebuked them? 

''Whom did Jesus meet near Jericho? 

* What did the blind man cry out, when he heard that Jesus waa 
going by? 

®What did lie do when they told him to be quiet? 
^° What did Jesus ask the blind man, when he was brought to Him ? 
" Give his reply. 

^^ What did Jesus now say to him? 
"What happened then? 



252 JESUS' ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM. A. D. 33. 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. Ingratitude is a great and grievous sin. Oh, how many re- 
ceive God's earthly blessings, health, wealth and position, as if they 
were spoils, and thereby forfeit heavenly blessings. 

2. Oh, thou loving heart of a mother, thou canst not rest, until 
thou hast brought thy child to Jesus and it shares His blessing! Only 
a want of understanding may try to hinder this. Ye fathers, read 
Ephesians 6 : 4. 

3. " Blind man, poor man." Yet happy is he who possesses a 
spiritual eye, who recognizes his Redeemer and Saviour and calls upon 
Him when in distress. Has He not already drawn near to you? Have 
you never heard the sound of His feet? 



Jesus, my All in all Thou art, 
Mj rest in toil, my ease in pain, 

The medicine of my broken heart : 
In storms my peace: in loss my gain; 

My comfort midst all grief and thrall, 
My life in death, my All in all. 



-O- 



43. JESUS' ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALE^I. 

Matt. 21. Mark 11. Luke 19. John 12. 

When they drew nigh unto Jerusalem. and came to Beth- 
phage, unto the mount of OHves, then Jesus sent two disciples, 
saying unto them, 'Go into the village that is over against you, 
and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: 
loose them and bring them unto me. And if anyone say aught 
unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and 
straightway he will send them. Now this is come to pass, that 
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 
^Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto 
thee, meek, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of 
an ass. The disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 
and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their gar- 
ments, and they set Him thereon. ^\nd a very great multitude 
spread their garments in the way. Others cut branches from 
the trees and spread them in the way. And as He was drawing 
nigh at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude 
of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a^loud 
voice for all the mighty works which they had seen ; saying, 
''Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. But the multitudes 



A. D. 33. JESUS' ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM. 253 

that went before Him, and that followed, cried, saying, ^Ho- 
sanna to the son of David : Blessed is He that cometh in the 
name of the Lord ; Hosanna in the highest. 

And some of the Pharisees said, Master, rebuke Thy disci- 
ples. And He answered and said, 'I tell you that, if these shall 
hold their peace, the stones will cry out. And when He drew 
nigh. He saw the city, and wept over it, saying, ^If thou hadst 
known in this day, even thou, the things which belong unto 
thy peace ! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days 
shall come upon thee, when thine enemies shall cast up a bank 
about thee and thy children, and compass thee round and keep 
thee in on every side, and shall dash thee to the ground, and 
not leave in thee one stone upon another ; because thou knewest 
not the time of thy visitation. 

And when he was come unto Jerusalem, all the city was 
stirred, saying, Who is this? And the multitudes said, ^This 
is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus went 
into the temple of God, and looked round about upon all things. 
And ^the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple ; and 
He healed them. "But when the chief priests and the scribes 
saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying 
in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David : they 
were moved with indignation, and said unto Him, Hearest 
Thou what these are saying? And "Jesus saith unto them, 
Yea ; did ye never read. Out of the mouth of babes and suck- 
lings Thou hast perfected praise ? 

^ What did Jesus command two of His disciples to do when they 
came near Bethphage? 

^ Give the promise of the prophet that was now being fulfilled. 

^ What honor did the multitude show to the Lord, when He rode by? 

*What did His disciples say? 

^ How did the multitudes that went before Him and followed, re- 
joice and what did they say? 

^What did Jesus say unto the Pharisees who tried to stop them? 

^What did He say when He wept and looked upon the city? 

^How did the people answer the question "Who is this?" 

^ What took place when Jesus went into the temple of God? 
^''How did the chief priests and the scribes act on account of this? 
"How did Jesus reply to their insolent demand? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The command which Jesus gave His two disciples was most 
likely to awaken all kinds of scruples; but they did in faith what 



254 THE WITHERED FIGTREE. A. D. 33- 

Jesus had commanded, and the Lord Himself helped them to surmount 
all difficulties. 

2. This one word, " The Lord hath need of them," was decisive 
for the owner of the ass and colt; he let the Lord have them. Behold, 
the Lord hath need of you also, but you infinitely more of Him; have 
you already given Him yourself, your talents, powers, property, etc.? 

3. When Christ the Lord comes in triumph, He has a numerous 
following; but how few remain withHim when the cry arises, "Crucify 
Him, crucify Him! " 

4. It is a sure indication that you are not a friend of Jesus, or 
some one else, if bitter hatred and errvy arise within your heart, when- 
ever you hear people praise Him. 



But chiefest in our cleansed breast, 
Eternal, bid Thy Spirit rest; 
And make our secret soul to be 
A temple pure, and worthy Thee. 
Hosanna ! Lord ! Hosanna in the highest. 



-O- 



44. THE WITHERED FIG TREE. 

Matt. 21:17-46. Mark 11:11-26. Luke 19:45-48. 

At eventide Jesus went out of Jerusalem to Bethany with 
the twelve, and lodged there. And 'on the morrow, in the 
morning, when they were come out of Bethany, He hungered. 
And He saw a fig tree afar off by the wayside having leaves. 
^And he came, if haply He might find anything thereon. And 
when He came to it. He found npthing but leaves. And Jesus 
said, ^No man eat fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And 
immediately the fig tree withered away. 

And they came to Jerusalem, and *Jesus wxnt into the 
temple, and began to cast out them that sold and that bought 
in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, 
and the seats of them that sold the doves and would not sufifer 
that any man should carry a vessel through the temple. And 
He taught, and said unto them, ^Is it not written, My house 
shall be called the house of prayer for all nations ? But ye have 
made of it a den of robbers. And ^all the people were aston- 
ished at His teaching, and were very attentive to hear Him. 
And every evening He went forth out of the city. 

As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree 
withered away from the roots. And Peter calling to remem- 
brance saith unto Him, ^Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which Thou 



A. D. 33. THE WITHERED FIGTREE. 255 

cursedst is withered away. Jesus answering saith unto them, 
*Have faith in God. Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, 
and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, 
but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up 
and cast into the sea ; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall 
believe that what he saith cometh to pass ; he shall have whatso- 
ever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, ^All things whatsoever 
ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall 
have them. And ^°when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have 
ought against any one: that you Father in heaven also may 
forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither 
will your P^ather which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 

^ What occurred, when Jesns returned with His disciples to the 

city? 
^ What did Jesus find on the fig tree ? 

^ What did He say to the fig tree, and what happened to it? 
*What did Jesus do when He came to Jerusalem? 
■^ What did He say to the people committing sacrilege in the temple ? 
® In what esteem was Jesus held by the people? 
^What did Peter say unto Jesus the next morning? 
* What answer did the Lord give him? 
' What further did Jesus say concerning prayer ? 
" In what spirit should we pray ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If your piety is only a mock-piety, only leaves without fruits 
of sanctification and good works, like those of the Jews, the saine lot 
will befall you. 

2. The Lord had patience for three years with His fig tree; He 
dug about and dunged it — He taught His nation and wrought mir- 
acles, but found no fruit. Its period of grace has expired; the com- 
mand is, " Cut it down." 

3. Sacrilegious people are an abomination in the sight of the 
Lord. Never try to make the Church, your worship and your confes- 
sion subserve mercantile and selfish ends. 

4. If you wish God to forgive you, you must have the assurance 
of His divine grace, that it is your earnest desire to forgive your neigh- 
bor with all your heart. 



Thou Lora of all above and all below the sky, 
Prostrate before Thy feet I fall, and for Thy mercy cry. 
Forgive my follies past, the crimes which I have done; 
Bid a repenting sinner live through Thine Incarnate Son. 



256 THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD. A. D. 33. 

45. THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD. 

Mark 12: 1-12. Liike 20: 9-19. 

Jesus began to speak in parables. \-\ man planted a vine- 
yard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a pit for a winepress, 
and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into 
another country for a long time. And at the season he sent to 
the husbandmen a servant, 'that he might receive from the hus- 
bandmen of the fruits of the vineyard. And ^they took him and 
beat him, and sent him away empty. 

And again he sent unto them another servant ; *and him 
thev wounded in the head, and sent him away shamefully 
handled. And he sent another ; "and him they killed, and many 
others ; beating some, and killing some. He had yet one,, a 
beloved son. And he said, ''What shall I do ? I will send my be- 
loved son : it may be they will reverence him when they see him. 

But when the husbandmen saw the son, they reasoned one 
with another, saying, ^This is the heir : come, let us kill him, 
that the inheritance may be ours. And thev cast him forth out 
of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore will the lord 
of the vineyard do unto them ? They said unto Him. ^He will 
miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out the vine- 
yard unto other husbandmen, wdiich shall render him the fruits 
in their season. 

^ Repeat the parable of the vineyard. 

^ Why did the lord of the vineyard send a servant to the husband- 
men ? 
^How did they treat the servant? 
*How did they treat the second servant he sent? 
^ How the third and many others ? 
' ^^^■lat did the lord of the vineyard say now? 
^What did the husbandmen say when they saw his son? 
^What question did Jesus ask His hearers? 
' What did they answer Him ? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. The bearers of office and honors in the Church, whom God has 
placed as husbandmen and stewards in His vineyard, must at last give 
a strict account of their stewardship . 

2. The leaders of the Jews, who always persecuted the servants of 
God and the prophets, and finally killed His only begotten Son, unwit- 
tingly pronounced their own sentence. 



A. D. 33. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. 25t 

3. Justice will be victorious in the end, and all the world must 
plead guilty in the presence of God. 



Help us to wait the hour 
In toil and holy fear, 
When, manifested with Thy saints, 
Thou shalt again appear. 



-O- 



46. THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM AND THE 
END OF THE WORLD. 

Matt. 24. Mark 13:1-13. Luke 21:5-38. 

Jesus went forth out of the temple, and His disciples came 
to Him and showed Him the buildings of the temple. And one 
of His disciples said unto Him. 'Master, behold, what manner 
of stones and what manner of buildings ! And Jesus said unto 
him, 'Verily, I say unto you, the time will come, in which there 
shall not be left here one stone upon another which shall not be 
broken. 

And as He sat on the mount of Olives over against the 
temple, they asked Him,^Tell us when shall these things be? 
and what shall the sign be of Thy coming, and of the end of 
the world ? Jesus answered, "When ye hear of wars and rumors 
of war, be not troubled ; these things must needs come to pass ; 
but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, 
and kingdom against kingdom ; there shall be earthquakes in 
divers places ; and there shall be famines, pestilences, and fear- 
ful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But all 
these things are the beginning of sorrow. ^In your patience ye 
shall win your souls. For he that endureth unto the end, the 
same shall be saved. And \his gospel of the kingdom shall be 
preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the na- 
tions ; and then shall the end come. When ye shall see Jerusa- 
lem compassed with armies, then let them that are in Judaea flee 
unto the mountains. And let him that is on the housetop not 
go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house. And 
let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. 
For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are 
written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with 
child, and to them that give suck in those days ! And prav that 
your flight be not in the winter. ^For in those days shall be 

17 



258 THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. A. D. 33 

tribulation, such as there hath not been the Hke from the begin- 
ning of the creation which God created until now, and never 
shall be. For there shall be great distress upon the land, and 
wrath unto this people ; and they shall fall by the edge of the 
sword, and shall be led captive unto all the nations : and Jeru- 
salem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of 
the gentiles be fulfilled. But 'immediately after the tribulation 
of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall 
not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven ; and 
upon earth distress of nations, with perplexity ; the sea and 
the waves roaring; men fainting for fear, and for expectation 
of the things which are coming on the earth : for the powers 
of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign 
of the Son of man in heaven : and then shall all the tribes of the 
earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the 
clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And ^°He shall 
send forth His angels wath a great sound of a trumpet, and 
they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from 
one end of heaven to the other. ''^But of that day or that hour 
knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the son, 
but the Father. ■ "^Take heed, lest haply your hearts be over- 
charged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and with cares of 
this life, and that day come on you suddenly. For as a snare 
shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the earth. 
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted 
worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and 
to stand before the Son of man. 

^What did His disciples say unto Him about the building of the 

temple ? 
®What did Jesus prophesy? 
'What did His disciples ask Him then? 
*By what sign should they know it? 
"^ ^Yhat was His admonition for this time of distress? 
® \Miat particular sign did He mention ? 

' What were they to do when they should see Jerusalem besieged ? 
^ Why were they to flee into the mountains ? 
*What signs shall announce the end of the world? 
"What will Jesus do when He appears? 

*^ Can anyone set the definite time or hour of the coming of Christ ? 
*^What admonition does Jesus give in reference to His coming? 



A. D. 33. THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS. 259 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. The destruction of Jerusalem and of the ancient world, of 
Sodom and Gomorrah and many great empires, was a prelude to the 
coming end of the world, and at the same time a proof thereof. 

{II Pet. 3: 5 ss.) 

2. How faithfully the Lord provides for His own! He points out 
.their danger and directs them to flee from adversity. But there is no 
'greater adversity than to be in sin, therefore flee from sin, for "sin is a 
reproach to any people." 

3. You have more important things to do than to try to search 
out, when the Lord will come. Rather ask yourself. Am I ready ? — 
and labor earnestly in your preparation for that awful day. (II Pet. 
S: 11.) 



That day of wrath! that dreadful day, 
When heaven and earth shall pass away! 
What power shall be the sinner's stay? 
How shall he meet that dreadful day? 
Oh! on that day — that wrathful day, 
When man to judgment wakes from clay, — 
Be Thou the trembling sinner's stay. 
Though heaven and earth shall pass away! 



47. THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS. 

Matt. 25. 

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten 
virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the 
bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five were 
wise. ^They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no 
oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their 
lamps. Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered 
and slept. But at midnight there was a cry. Behold the bride- 
groom Cometh ; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins 
arose and trimmed their lamps. And ^the foolish said unto the 
wise, Give us of your oil ; for our lamps are going out. But 
the wise answered, saying, 'Not so; lest there be not enough 
for us and you. Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for 
yourselves. *And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom 
came ; and they that were ready went in with him to the mar- 
riage feast : and the door was shut. Afterward came also the 
other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he an- 
swered and said, ''Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 



260 THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS. A. D. 33. 

Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour, where- 
in the Son of man cometh. 

^But when the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all 
the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit on the throne of His 
glory : and before Him shall be gathered all the nations. And 
He shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd 
separateth the sheep from the goats. And He shall set the 
sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall 
the King say unto them on His right hand, ^Come, ye blessed 
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the 
foundation of the world. For I was an hungered, and ye gave 
me meat, I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink. I was a 
stranger, and ye took me in. Naked, and ye clothed me. I 
was sick, and ye visited me. Then shall the righteous answer 
Him saying, *Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, and fed 
Thee ? Or athirst, and gave Thee drink ? When saw we Thee 
a stranger, and took Thee in ? Or naked, and we clothed Thee ? 
When saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? 
And the King shall answer and say unto them, ^Verily I say 
unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these 
my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Then shall He say also imto them on the left hand, ^''De- 
part from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire, which is pre- 
pared for the devil and his angels. I was an hungered, and ye 
gave me no meat. I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink. I 
was a stranger, and ye took me not in. Naked, and ye clothed 
me not. Sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then 
shall they also answer, saying, "Lord, when saw we Thee an 
"hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in 
prison, and did not minister unto Thee ? Then shall He answer 
them, saying, "^A^erily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it 
not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me. And these 
shall go away into eternal punishment : but the righteous unta 
eternal life. 

^Wherein did the wise A'irgins differ from the foolish ones? 

^ What did the foolish virgins say to the wise ? 

^ AYhat Avas their reply? 

* ^Yhat was done while they went? 

^ What did the lord say, when they said, Open to us? 

^ How does Jesus describe the last judgment? 

■^ What shall He say unto those on His right hand ? 

*What shall they answer? 



A. D. 33. THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 261 

"What shall the King say? 

^''What terrible judgment will be passed upon those on His left? 
"What will their answer be? 
*2 What will be the King's reply ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. How foolish, indeed, those people act, who are satisfied with 
the outward appearance of Christianity and meanwhile neglect the 
main thing, the treasure and plenty of divine grace. When the Lord 
musters them, they will not pass. 

2. The Lord certainly requires the fruits of faith, but those who 
bring tliem do not place their trust in them, nor keep an account of 
them.. 

3. The decision on the last day is final and irrevocable; there is 
no higher court, to which an appeal can be made. The sentence will 
simply be, Come! or, Depart from me. 



Day of judgment, day of wonder! Hark! — the trumpet's awful 
sound. 
Louder than a thousand thunders shakes the vast creation round; 
How the summons ^vill the sinner's heart confound. 
See the Judge, our nature wearing, clothed in majesty divine! 
Ye, who long for His appearing, then ^hall say, this God is mine! 
Gracious Saviour, own me in that day for Thine. 

O 



48. THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

Matt. 26. Mark 14. Luke 22. John 13. 

"^ On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed 
the passover, His disciples said unto Him, Where wilt Thou 
that we go and make ready that Thou mayest eat the pass- 
over? And He sent two of His disciples, Peter and John, and 
said unto them, 'Go into the city, and there shall meet you a 
man bearing a pitcher of water : follow him ; and wheresoever 
he shall enter in, say to the goodman of the house, The Master 
saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the pass- 
over with my disciples? And he will show you a large room 
furnished and ready ; and there make ready for us. ^And the 
disciples came into the city, and found as He had said unto 
them : and they made ready the passover. 

And when it was evening He came with the twelve. And 
when the hour was come He sat down and the twelve apostles 
with Him. ^And He said unto them, I have heartily desired to 
eat this passover with you before I suffer. And *the supper be- 



262 THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. A. D. 33. 

ing ended, He arose from supper and laid aside His garments, 
and took a towel, and girded Himself. Then He poured water 
into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe 
them with the towel wherewith He was girded. Then He 
came to Simon Peter, and he said unto Him, Lord, shalt Thou 
wash my feet? Jesus said unto him, ^If I wash thee not, thou 
hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto Him, ^Lord, not 
my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 

When He had washed their feet, and taken His garments 
and sat down again, He said unto them, 'Know ye what I have 
done to you ? Ye call me Master and Lord : and ye say well ; 
for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed 
your feet ; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. I have 
given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 
Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his 
lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him. 
If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them. 

And as they sat and were eating, Jesus said, 'Verily, I say 
unto you, One of you that eateth with me, shall betray me. 
'And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto Him one by 
one, Is it I? He answ^ered and said unto them, ^°It is one of 
the twelve that dippeth with me in the dish, shall betray me. 
The Son of man indeed goeth as it is written of Him : but woe 
unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed I 
good were it for that man, if he had not been born. And Judas, 
which betrayed Him answered and said, "Is it I, Rabbi? He 
said unto him. Thou hast said. 

^^And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and gave 
thanks, and brake it, and gave it unto them, and said, ^^Take, 
eat, this is my body which is given for you : this do in remem- 
brance of me. Likewise also He took the cup after supper; 
and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them and said, 
"Take, and drink ye all of it ; this cup is the new testament in 
my blood which is shed for you and for many unto remission 
of sins. ^^This do, as oft as ye 'drink of it, in remembrance 
of me. 

^ What command did Jesus give two of His disciples at the time 

of unleavened bread (Easter) ? 
2 How did they find it? 

^\Yhat did Jesus say to His disciples when He sat down? 
^ What service did Jesus show them after supper ? 



A. D. 33. THE LAST DISCOURSES OF JESUS. . 263 

' What did Jesus say unto Peter when he wanted to refuse Him to 
wash his feet? 

' What did Peter say then ? 

^ What did the Lord now say to all of them? 

® How did Jesus indicate His betrayer ? 

® What impression did this make upon the disciples. 
^° What else did Jesus say about His betrayer ? 
"How did Judas ask, and how did Jesus answer him? 
^^ How did Jesus institute the holy supper ? 
" What He say when He gave them the bread ? 
"What did He say when He gave them the cup? 
^^ What special command did He add ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The eating of the Jewish passover required an extremely care- 
ful and extensive preparation. Ought you not, my Christian friend, 
prepare yourself carefully for the Lord's supper? (I Cor. 11: 28.) 

2. Oh, the pain it gives the holy heart of Jesus, if His own dis- 
close a want of humility, of peaceableness and readiness to serve! 
Must not His deep self-humiliation, His lowly service of a menial put 
to shame our pride, ambition, and our quarrelsome disposition? 

3. Oh, with what love, and meekness, and patience the divine 
" Sinner's Friend " seeks the sinner to save him from destruction ! 
He warns and admonishes Judas to the . last hour ; but he remained 
hardened. 

4. A precious inheritance, that Jesus left to His own in the Holy 
Supper. He gives His body and His blood as " the meat that abideth 
unto eternal life." . Do not consider it of little importance ; be not a 
despiser of the sacraments. 



The blest memorials of Thy grief The sufferings of Thy "death. 
We come, dear Saviour, to receive, But would receive with faith. — ■ 
Increase our faith, and hope, and love; Lord, give us all that's good; 
We would Thy full salvation prove, And share Thy flesh and blood. 



-O- 



49. THE LAST DISCOURSES OF JESUS. 

John 14, 15, 16. 

And Jesus said unto His disciples, ^Let not your hearts be 
troubled. In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to 
prepare a place for you. And whither I go ye know ; and the 
way ye know, ^l am the way, and the truth, and the life ; no 
one Cometh unto the Father, but by me. If a man love me, he 
will keep my word : and my Father will love him, and we will 



264 THE LAST DISCOURSES OF JESUS. A. D. 33. 

come unto him, and make our abode with him. "But the Com- 
forter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my 
name, He shall teach you all things, and bring to your remem- 
brance all that I said unto you. 'Peace I leave with you, my 
peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. "Here- 
after I will not talk much with you : for the prince of this world 
Cometh, and he hath nothing in me. But that the world may 
know, that I love the Father ; and as the Father gave me com- 
mandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. 

^I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman ; 
every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away : and 
every branch that beareth fruit. He cleanseth it. that it may bear 
more fruit. Already ye are clean because of the word which 
I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the 
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, 
so neither can ve except ye abide in me. 'I am the vine, ye are 
the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same 
beareth much fruit : for without me ye can do nothing. ^If a 
man abideth not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is 
withered : and they gather them, and cast them into fire, and 
they are burned. 

^If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what- 
soever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ^'Herein is my 
Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit : and so shall ve be my 
disciples. Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved 
you. Continue ye in my love. "If ye keep my commandments, 
ve shall abide in my love ; even as I have kept my Father's 
commandments, and abide in His love. ^This is my com- 
mandment. That ye love one another, even as I have loved you. 

^ With what M'ords did Jesus comfort His disciples? 
^ What does Jesus say that He is ? 
^ What promise from the Father did He give? 
* What ^vas His parting benediction? 
^How did He announce His impending suffering? 
^How did He picture the union bet^veen Himself and the Father? 
'How does He represent the union between Himself and His own? 
*\ATiat does He say of those who do not abide in Him? 
° What does He promise those who abide in Him and in His word? 
^"Wherein is His Father glorified? 

^ WTiat proof of abiding in His lore does He mention? 
^And finally, what did He command them so urgently to do? 



A. D. 33. JESUS IN GETHSEMANE. 265 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. If Jesus is the way, then walk therein; if He is the truth, then 
believe in Him ; if He alone leads to the Father, then follow Him 
faithfully. For, certainly, you wish to come home unto the Father? 

2. Are you a fruitful branch of the true vine, — a true member 
of the Head which is Christ ? Remember, He Himself declares, " With- 
out me ye can do nothing." 

3. The admonition to true brotherly love, alas, is necessary even 
in our days. There is, indeed, a love with the tongue; but little in 
deed and in truth. (I John 3: 18.) 



Living or dying, Lord, 
I ask but to be Thine; 

My life in Thee, Thy life in me 
Makes heaven forever mine. 



-O- 



50. JESUS IN GETHSEMANE. 

Matt. 26. Mark 14. Luke 22. John 17, 18. 

Jesus lifting up His eyes to heaven, said, Tather, the hour 
is come ; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son may glorify Thee : 
even as Thou gavest Him authority over all flesh, that He 
should give eternal life to as many as Thou has given Him. 
^And this is life eternal, that they should know Thee the only 
true God, and even Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. I 
glorified Thee on earth, having accomplished the work, which 
Thou hast given me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou 
me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee 
before the world was. I manifested Thy name unto men whom 
Thou gavest me out of the world. And I am no more in the 
world, and I come to Thee. ^Holy Father, keep them in Thy 
name which Thou hast given me, that they may be one, even 
as we are. ^Neither for these only do I pray, but for them 
also, that believe on me through their word ; that they may all 
be one; even as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that 
they also may be in us : that the world may believe that Thou 
didst send me. 

When Jesus had spoken these words. He went forth, as 
His custom was, with His disciples over the brook Cedron, to 
the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, "All ye shall 
be offended in me this night. For it is written, I will smite the 
shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 



266 JESUS IN GETHSEMANE. A. D. 33. 

But Peter answered and said unto Him, ^If all shall be offend- 
ed in Thee, I will never be offended. Jesus said unto him^ 
^Verily, I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow 
twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he said to Him, Even 
if I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny Thee. And in 
like manner said they all. 

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Geth- 
semane, where was a garden, into which He entered, and His 
disciples. And when He was at the place, he said unto them, 
^Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray. And He took with 
Him Peter and James and John, the two sons of Zebidee, and 
began to be sorrowful and sore troubled. Then saith Jesus 
unto them, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death : 
abide ye here and watch with me. And '^He parted from them 
about a stone's cast, and He kneeled, and prayed, saying, Abba, 
Father, all things are possible unto Thee ; if it be possible, let 
this cup pass away from me : nevertheless not as I will, but as 
Thou wilt. 

And He cometh to His disciples, and findeth them sleeping, 
and saith unto Peter, "Simon, sleepest thou? Could ye not 
watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not 
into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is 
weak. And again He went away, and prayed, saying, "^^O my 
Father, if this cup may not pass away, except I drink it, Thy 
will be done. And He came and again found them sleeping: 
for their eyes were heavy, and they wist not what to answer 
Him. And He left them again, and went away, and prayed a 
third time, saying the same words. And "there appeared unto 
Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being 
in an agony He prayed more earnestly : and His sweat became 
as it were drops of blood falling down upon the ground. 
Then cometh He to his disciples, and saith, ^^Sleep on now, 
and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand that the Son 
of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Arise, let us be 
going; behold he is at hand that betrayeth me. 

*How does Jesus begin begin his intercessory prayer? 

^ Wherein does eternal life consist ? 

^ How does He pray for the unity of His disciples ? 

*ror whom else did He pray? 

^ Where did Jesus go then with His disciples? 

' What did He say now to His disciples ? 



A. D. 33. JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS. SfiT 

^What did Peter answer? ^ 

**0f what did the Lord assure him? 

^What did Jesus say and do when they arrived in the garden of 

Gethsemane ? 
^"How did He express Himself to His disciples? 
^1 What did He do then ? 

^^What did He say to the sleeping disciples? 
^*What did He pray the second and the third time? 
"How was He strengthened when His agony became greatest? 
^^ What did He say unto His disciples when He returned to them ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If Jesus prays so earnestly for the unity of all believers, can 
those who create discord in His Church and form sects, still be con- 
sidered His friends? 

2. Gethsemane is a school of prayer, as well as the scene of con- 
test and suffering. The Saviour loved to pray in quiet solitude; He 
prayed in humility and without ceasing, and in submission to His 
Father's will. 

3. Before our Saviour entered upon His great and unspeakable 
suffering for our reconciliation. He spent a whole hour in prayer. Do 
not forget to call upon God for His help and assistance in every im- 
portant undertaking, especially when in distress and tribulation. 
(Ps. 50: 15.) 

4. As your Redeemer and Surety suffered inexpressible anguish 
in Gethsemane, you may be assured in your greatest temptation, oh, 
believing soul, that Christ your Lord has redeemed you from the 
anguish and torment of hell. 



Oh, garden of Olives, thou dear honored spot, 
The fame of thy wonders shall ne'er be forgot; 
The theme most transporting to seraphs above; 
The triumph of sorrow, — the triumph of love ! 



51. JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS. 

Matt. 26:47-56. Mark 14:43-52. Luke 22:47-53. John 18: 2-1 L 

Now Judas also, which betrayed Him knew the place : for 
^Jesus ofttimes resorted- thither with His disciples. ^Judas, 
then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers, from 
the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns 
and torches and weapons. And Judas went before them. 
Jesus, therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon 
Him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They 



268 JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS. A. D. 33. 

answered Him, 'Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saitli unto them, I 
am He. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, was standing 
with them. "When therefore He said unto them, I am He, 
they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked He 
them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Naz- 
areth. 

Jesus answered, ^I told you that I am He : if therefore ye 
seek me, let these go their way : that the word might be fulfilled, 
,which He spake. Of them which Thou gavest me I have lost 
none. And %e that betrayed Him had given them a token, 
saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is He; take Him, and 
lead Him away safely. And when he was come, straightway 
he came to Him, and saith. Rabbi, rabbi ; and kissed Him. 
And Jesus said unto him, 'Friend, wherefore art thou come? 
Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man w4th a kiss ? Then they 
came, and laid hands on Jesus, and took Him. 

When they that were about Him saw what would follow^ 
they said, ^Lord, shall we smite with the sword? Then Simon 
Peter, having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest's 
servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was 
Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, ^Put up thy sword into 
the sheath : the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not 
drink it ? Thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and 
He shall even now send me more than twelve legions of 
angels? Suffer ye thus far. And '°He touched his ear, and 
healed it. 

In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, "Are ye come 
out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I 
sat daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not. 
This is your hour, and the power of darkness. And ^^His dis- 
ciples all forsook Him, and fled. And a certain young man 
followed with Him, having a linen cloth about him over his 
naked body ; and the young men laid hold on him. But he 
left the linen cloth and fled from them naked. 

^How did Judas happen to know of the place of prayer? 

^ How does he come there now ? 

^ ^Yhat did the multitude answer, when Jesus asked, Whom seek ye ? 

*What occurred, when Jesus said again, 1 am He? 

"What else did Jesus say to them 

" How were the captors to know Jesus ? 

' What did Jesus say to Judas, when he kissed Him ? 

* What did His disciples do, when Jesus Avas taken ? 



A. D. 33. JESUS BEFORE THE SPIRITUAL COURT. 269- 

'What did Jesus say to the fiery Peter? 
" What miracle did Jesus perform on Malchus ? 
"What did Jesus say unto the multitudes? 
"What did His disciples do? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. That Judas betrayed his Master, was bad enough; that he 
did so under the cloak of simulated friendship, made his act doubly 
abominable. Be true and sincere in your greetings. 

2. How great the contrast between Peter's conduct here and in 
the palace of the high priest! Not infrequently the Lord must repair 
what His friends have bungled in their untimely zeal. 

3. Again and again the Lord points out in His suffering the 
counsel of God; He desires neither to go out of its way, nor to meet 
force by force. " Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things." 
(Luke 24: 26.) 

4. The disciples flee. Oh, the vacillation, and the fleeing from 
the cross! Hold back your judgment. Their inconstancy reflects the 
nature of all mankind. 



Lord, the course Thou art pursuing 

Is a course of glorious gain ; 
But the work which Thou art doing 

Is a work of bitter pain; 
In a Passion-tide beginning. 

It will lead to bright renown; 
By it Thou a way art winning 

To an everlasting crown. 



-O- 



52. JESUS BEFORE THE SPIRITUAL COURT. 

Matt. 26: 57-68. Mark 14: 53-65. Luke 22: 54, 55. John 18: 12-24. 

The band and the chief captain and the officers of the Jews 
seized Jesus, and bound Him and led Him away. And 'they 
led Jesus to the high priest : and with him were assembled all 
the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. The ^high 
priest then asked Jesus of His disciples, and of His teaching. 
Jesus answered him, T have spoken openly to the world ; I ever 
taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews 
come together ; and in secret spake I nothing. Why askest 
thou me? Ask them that have heard me, what I spake unto 
them. *And when He had said this, one of the officers standing 
by struck Jesus, and said, Answerest Thou the high priest so ? 



270 JESUS BEFORE THE SPIRITUAL COURT= A. D. 33. 

Jesus answered him, ^If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the 
evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? 

"Now the chief priests and the elders and the whole council 
sought witness against Jesus to put Him to death ; and found 
it not. ^Many bare false witness against Him, but their wit- 
ness agreed not together. And the high priest stood up and 
said unto Him, 'I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell 
us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God the Blessed? 
*Jesus saith unto him, I am. Xevertheless I say imto you, 
Henceforth ye shall see the Son sitting at the right hand of 
power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. "Then the high 
priest rent his clothes, and saith. What further need have we 
of further witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard His blas- 
phemies. What think ye? And ^^they all condemned Him 
and said. He is worthy of death. "^Then did they spit in Hia 
face. And the men that held Him, mocked Him, and beat Him 
with the palms of their hands, and blindfolded Him, and struck 
Him in the face, and asked Him, saying, Prophesy, who is it 
that smote Thee? And many other things spake they against 
Him reviling Him. 

* Where did they lead Jesus after they had bound Him? 

'About what did they question Him first? 

^ What ^Yas Jesus' answer ? 

*How was His answer received? 

''What did Jesus say to this arrogant man? 

*What was the vain effort of the spiritual judges? 

^How was the witness or testimony? 

^ What did the high priest say unto Him in a solemn manner? 

® What did Jesus then confess before the whole council ? 
"What did the high priest say when he heard this true testimony? 
"What sentence did they pass? 
" What abuses were heaped upon Him in their presence ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. How strikingly Jesus describes His present situation and His 
judges when He declares, " This is your hour, and the power of dark- 
ness." He was " delivered " by the Father, and they, in their blindness, 
rejected the Messiah. 

2. No justice may be expected, where judgment is passed accord- 
ing to preconceived opinions, and not according to the testimony. 
They simply declared that He must die, without respect to the truth 
and justice. 



A. D. 33. PETER'S DENIAL. 271 

3. The world acts in the same way to-day; if the truth is told 
they become bitterly angry and desire to destroy the witnesses of truth. 



What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered 

Was all for sinners' gain: 
Mine, mine was the transgression, 

But Thine the deadl}' pain: 
Lo, here I fall, my Saviour, 

'Tis I deserve Thy place, 
Look on me with Thy favor, 

Vouchsafe to me Thy grace. 



53. PETER'S DENIAL. 

Matt. 26:69-75. Mark 14:66-72. Luke 22:56-62. John 18:17-27. 

^And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another dis- 
ciple : that disciple was known unto the high priest, and entered 
in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But ^Peter 
was sitting without at the door. So ^the other disciple, which 
was known unto the high priest, went out and spake unto her 
that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the maid 
that kept the door unto Peter, *Art not thou also one of this 
man's disciples ? He saith, ^I am not ; I know Him not, neither 
know I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch ; 
and the cock crew. Now the servants and the officers were 
standing there, having made a fire of coals ; for it was cold : and 
they were warming themselves. 

And when he was gone out, another maid saw him, and 
saith unto them that were there, *This man was also with Jesus 
of Nazareth. And they said unto him. Art thou not also one of 
His disciples ? ^And he denied again and began to swear, I 
know not this man. 

And after a while, about the space of one hour, one of the 
servants of the high priest and a kinsman of him whose ear 
Peter cut off, confidently affirmed and said, ^Of a truth, this 
man is also one of them, for he is a Galilean. Did I not see 
thee in the garden with Him? And they that stood by, said 
unto him, ^Surely thou also art one of them ; for thy speech be- 
trayeth thee. ^°Then Peter denied again and began to curse 
and to swear, I know not the man, of whom ye speak. "And 
straightway the second time the cock crew. 

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And "Peter 



272 PETER'S DENIAL. A. D. 33. 

remembered the word of the Lord, how that He said unto him, 
Before the cock crow twice thou shalt deny me thrice. And 
''Peter went out and wept bitterly. 

^ Which, ones of the disciples followed Jesus ? 

^ Where did Peter sit down ? 

^ Who brought Peter in ? 

* What did the doorkeeper say to him? 

^ What answer did he give her? 

^ What did another maid say to him when he went out? 

'' What was his reply ? 

^ What did the servant of the high priest say to him? 

^ What did the o.thers say, who stood near? 
"What was Peter's answer? 
^^ What happened then? 

"What did Peter remember, when Jesus looked at him? 
"What did Peter do then? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Bemember always to heed the word of the Lord, and not to go 
in ways He forbids; theirs is treacherous ground. How bitterly Peter 
had to rue it. 

2. Eemember never to rely upon your own strength; it will for- 
sake you quickly. Peter thought that he was strong enough to go into 
death with the Lord, and a weak maidservant made him fall. 

3. Remember what a single look of grace from the loving eye of 
Jesus may do; it dispels darkness, rouses the benumbed senses, and 
melts the stony heart. 

4. Remember finally, that Jesus had to suffer much, not only 
from His enemies, but from His friends as well; the betrayal of Judas, 
the flight of His disciples, and Peter's denial gave Him greater pain 
than the thorns and nails. These only penetrated the members of His 
body; those, His heart. 



gracious God, in whom I live, 

My feeble efforts aid; 
Help me to watch, and pray, and strive, 

Though trembling and afraid. 
Increase my faith, increase my hope, 

When foes and fears prevail; 
And bear my fainting spirit up. 

Or soon my strength will fail. 



A. D. 33 THE END OF JUDAS THE TRAITOR. 273 

54. THE END OF JUDAS THE TRAITOR. 

Matt 27: MO. Mark 15: 1. Luke 22: 66-71. 

, As soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief 
priests and scribes came together, and led Jesus into their coun- 
cil, saying, 'Art Thou the Christ? tell us. And He said unto 
them, Tf I tell you, ye will not believe : and if I ask you, ye will 
not answer, nor let me go. But from henceforth shall the Son 
of man be seated at the right hand of the power of God. 
Then said they all, ""Art Thou then the Son of God ? And He 
said unto them, *Ye say that I am. And they said. What fur- 
ther need have we of witness? we have heard from His own 
mouth. '^And straightway in the morning the chief priests held 
a consultation with the elders and scribes to put Him to death ; 
and they bound Him, and led Him to Pontius Pilate the gov- 
ernor. 

Then Judas, which betrayed Him, when he saw that He 
was condemned, repented himself. And ^he brought back the 
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I 
have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said^ 
'What is that to us ? See thou to that. ' And ^he cast down the 
pieces of silver in the temple, and went away and hanged him- 
self. And falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and 
all his bowels gushed out (Acts i :i8). ^And the chief priests 
took the pieces of silver, and said. It is not lawful to put them 
into the treasury, since it is the price of blood. And they took 
counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury 
strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of 
blood, unto this day. 

^What did they ask Jesus again, when the morning had come? 

^ What was His reply? 

^ What did they all say then ? 

* What was His answer ? 

^What did they now decide to do? 

® What did Judas do when Jesus was condemned to death? 

'' What reply did he receive ? 

* What did Judas do now ? 

® What did they do with the blood money ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. To act without thinking first has brought many a one into 
great trouble. Thus it was with Judas. If, therefore, you are about 
to do anything, consider the consequences first. 

18 



274 JESUS BEFORE THE TEMPORAL COURT. A. D. 33. 

2. Evil people may indeed help to bring you into trouble; but 
if you appeal to them in your distress, they have neither compassion 
nor help ; they simply say, " See thou to that." 

3. All th(5se who antagonize Jesus and blaspheme Him and desire 
to put Him out of the way, must in the end, like Judas, testify to His 
innocence. 

4. See to it, that your remorse is like that of Peter, and not like 
that of Judas. The remorse of Judas knew nothing of faith and di- 
vine compassion, and came — too late. Oh, what a terrible word, 
"Too late! " 



Thine anger, like a pointed dart, 
Shall pierce the foes of stubborn heart; 
Or words of mercy, kind and sweet. 
Shall melt the rebels at Thy feet. 



55. JESUS BEFORE THE TEMPORAL COURT. 

Matt. 27: 11-14. Mark 15: 1-5. Luke 23: 1-11. John 18: 28-38. 

And the whole company of them rose and led Jesus from 
Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment. And it was early. And 
the Jews entered not into the judgment hall, lest they should 
be defiled; but might eat the passover. Pilate therefore went 
out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this 
man? They answered and said unto him, 'If this man were* 
not an evil-doer, we should not have delivered Him up unto 
thee. Then Pilate said unto them, ^Take Him, and judge Him 
according to your law. The Jews said unto him, *It is not law- 
ful for us to put any man to death : that the word of Jesus 
might be fulfilled, which He spake, signifying by what manner 
of death He should die. Then they began to accuse Him, say- 
ing, %Ve found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding 
to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ 
a King. 

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and 
called Jesus, and said unto Him, ^Art Thou the King of the 
Jews ? Jesus answered, ^My kingdom is not of this world : If 
my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, 
that I should not be delivered to the Jews. Pilate therefore 
said unto Him, ^Art Thou a King then? Jesus answered, 
*Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end have I been born 
and am come into the world, that I should bear witness unto 



A. D. 33. JESUS BEFORE THE TEMPORAL COURT. 2T5 

the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice. 
Pilate saith unto Him, What is truth ? And when he had said, 
this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, "I 
find no crime in Him. 

And the chief priests and elders accused Him of many 
things. And though He was accused. He answered nothing, 
Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many 
things they witness against Thee ? And "He gave him no an- 
swer, not even to one word : insomuch that the governor mar- 
veled greatly. And ^Vhen he knew that He was of Herod's 
jurisdiction, he sent Him unto Herod, who himself also was at 
Jerusalem in these days. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was 
exceeding glad : for he was of a long time desirous to see Him ; 
"because he had heard concerning Him many things ; and he; 
hoped to see some miracle done by Him. And he questioned 
Him in many words. But "He answered him nothing. And 
"Herod with his soldiers set Him at nought, and mocked Him, 
and arraying Him in a gorgeous (white) apparel sent Him 
back to Pilate. 

* 

* What did Pilate ask the Jews, when he came out to them ? 

* What was their reply ? 
nVhat did Pilate say then? 

* What had they to answer to their own shame ? 

^ What unjust accusations did they bring against Him? 

*What did Pilate say to Jesus in the judgment hall? 

' How did Jesus answer him ? 

MVhat did Pilate say to this? 

® What was Jesus' reply ? 

^''What did Pilate say to the Jews after this hearing? 
" What did Jesus do, when Pilate asked, " Hearest Thou not, how 

msPny things they witness against Thee ? " 
^^ Where did Pilate now send Jesus ? 
^^ Why had Herod desired for a long time to see Jesus? 
^*How did Jesus answer his questions? 
^^ How did they treat Jesus after this ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. More truth and uprightness are found with honest heathens 
than with hypocritical Jews and Christians. The Jews declared that 
Jesus was worthy of death; Pilate says, I find no crime in Him. 

2. The world has no understanding of Christ's person and king- 
dom; for no man can say that Jesus is the Lord except by the Holy 
Spirit, whom the world does not possess. 

3. Jesus is not the man for those people who make sport of holjr 



276 JESUS IS CONDEMNED. A. D. 33. 

things and engage in impertinent questioning, and are bent upon all 
kinds of jugglery. He answers Herod not a word, who now heaps 
mockery and contempt upon Him. 



The sorrow, shame, and death were Thine, 
And all the stores of wrath divine ! 
Ours are the pardon, life, and bliss! 
What love can be compared with this? 



56. JESUS IS CONDEMNED. 

Matt. 27: 15-23. Mark 15: 6-14. Luke 23: 17-23. John 18: 39; 19. 

^Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto 
the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. And "he had 
at that time a notable prisoner called Barabbas, lying bound 
with them that had made an insurrection, men who in the in- 
surrection had committed murder. And the multitude went 
up and began to ask him to do as he was v/ont to do. Wlien 
therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, 
%Vhom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus 
which is called Christ the King of the Jews? For he knew 
that for envy they had delivered Him up. And while he was 
sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying. 
*Have thou nothing to do wnth that righteous man. I have 
suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him. 

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multi- 
tudes, that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 
But the governor answered and said unto them. Whether of 
the twain will ye that I release unto you ? And the whole mul- 
titude cried all at once, saying. Away with this man, and Re- 
lease unto us Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a murderer. 
And Pilate spake unto them again, desiring to release Jesus, 
saying, "What then shall I do unto Jesus which is called Christ ? 
And they cried out and said, ^Crucify Him, crucify Him. And 
Pilate said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath this 
man done ? I have found no cause of death in Him : I Avill 
therefore chastise Him, and release Him. But they were in- 
stant with loud voices, asking that He might be crucified. And 
their voices and of the chief priests prevailed, and they cried 
out more exceedingly. Crucify Him. 

When Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather 



A. D. 33. JESUS IS CONDEMNED. 211 

that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands 
before the multitude, saying, 'I am innocent of the blood of this 
righteous man : see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and 
said, ^His blood be on us and our children. And '"Pilate, 
wishing to content the multitude, delivered Him to be scourged 
and crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus 
into the judgment hall, and gathered unto Him the whole band. 
And Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And "the soldiers 
stripped Jesus, and put on Him a scarlet robe, and plaited a 
crown of thorns and put it on His head, and a reed in His right 
hand : and they kneeled down before Him, and worshiped Him, 
and mocked Him, saying. Hail, King of the Jews ! And they 
spat upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head 
and struck Him in the face. 

And Pilate went out again, and saith unto them. Behold 
I bring Him out to you, that ye may know that I find no crime 
in Him. Then came Jesus out, wearing a crown of thorns, and 
the purple garment. And Pilate saith unto them, '"Behold the 
man ! When the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they 
cried out, saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him. Pilate saith 
imto them, Take Him yourselves and crucify Him ; for I find 
no crime in Him. The Jews answered him, '^We have a law, 
and by that law He ought to die, because He made Himself the 
Son of God. If thou release this man, thou art not Caesar's 
friend : every one that maketh himself a king, speaketh against 
Csesar. "When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought 
Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat, and saith unto 
the Jews, Behold your King ! But they cried out, '^Away with 
Him, away with Him, crucify Him. Pilate saith unto them, 
Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered. We 
have no king but Csesar. " Then delivered, he Him to be cruci- 
fied. 

^What was Pilate wont to do at the feast? 

^What jwisoners had he at that time? 

^ What did Pilate say to the Jews ? 

■*What message did Pilate receive from Procula, his wife? 

° For which one of the two did the Jews ask release ? 

'What did Pilate say in his perplexity? 

'^ What did the multitude cry out then? 

MVhat did Pilate say? 

® What did the multitude cry out once more? 
^°What did Pilate finally do to please the Jews? 
"How did the soldiers mock Jesus? 



278 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 



A. D. 33. 



" \Yhat did Pilate say when he brought Jesus out before the people ? 
" ^Miat did the Jews say, when Pilate declared again that Jesus was 

innocent ? 
"What did Pilate do now? 
^^ \Yhat did the Jews cry out once more ? 
" What was done then ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Pilate was fully convinced of the innocence of Jesus, and tried 
continually to release Him; but he wanted to do this without impairing 
his standing with the Jews. 

2. He who tries simply to please men will easily disregard jus- 
tice, duty and conscience, and will prove himself an enemy of God and 
righteousness. 

3. I, and you, and all fallen children of men are Barabbas. 
The innocent one is condemned; the guilty ones escape. Jesus was 
condemned by a temporal judge, just for the purpose of delivering us 
from the severe judgment of God, to which we were expo.sed. 



Cruel hands of sinners bound Thee, 

Thou a sinful world hast freed; 
They with thorns and mockery crowned Thee, 

Placing in Thy hands a reed; 
Now a starry crown Thou wearest. 

Heavenly King, Almighty Lord; 
Scepter of the world Thou bearest, 

And by angels art adored. 



57. THE CRUCIFIXION. 

Matt 27: 31 ss. Mark 15: 20 ss. Luke 23: 26 ss. John 19; 16 ss. 

^A.fter they had mocked Him, they took off from Him the 
purple robe and put on Him His own garments, and led Him 
away to crucify Him. And He bare His cross. And "when 
they led Him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, 
coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to bear it 
after Jesus. And there followed Him a great multitude of 
people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented Him. But 
Jesus turning unto them said, ^Daughters of Jerusalem, weep 
not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 
For, behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say. 
Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the 
breasts that never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to 



A. D. 33. THE CRUCIFIXION. 279 

the mountains, Fall on us ; and to the hills, Cover us. For if 
they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the 
dry? *And there were also two others, malefactors, led with 
Him to be put to death. 

^A.nd when they came unto the place called The skull, 
which is called in Hebrew Golgotha, they gave Him vinegar 
to drink mingled with gall (myrrh and wine) : and when He 
had tasted it, He would not drink. 'There they crucified Him, 
and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on 
the left, and Jesus in the midst. And ^the scripture was ful- 
filled, which saith, And He was numbered with the transgres- 
sors. And it was the third hour when they crucified Him. 

And Pilate wrote a superscription, and put it on the cross ; 
and there was written, ^Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews. 
This superscription was read by many Jews : for the place 
where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city. And it was 
written in Hebrew, and in Greek, and in Latin. The chief 
priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, ^Write not. The 
King of the Jews ; but that He said, I am the King of the Jews, 
Pilate answered. What I have written I have written. ^"The 
soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments, and 
made four parts, to every soldier a part ; and also the coat, 
Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top through- 
out. They said therefore one to another, "Let us not rend it 
but cast lots for it, whose shall it be : that the scripture might 
be fulfilled, which saith, ^"They parted my garments among 
them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. These things 
the soldiers did. 

*How did Jesus begin His walk to Golgotha (Calvary) ? 

^ Whom did they compel to help Jesus to carry the cross ? 

' What did Jesus to the lamenting women that followed him ? 

® What took place now on Golgotha? 

* Who else was led out with Him ? 

® What stupefying drink did they want to give Him? 

® What took place now on Golgotha ? 

'What Scripture was fulfilled thereby? 

®What superscription did Pilate put on the cross of Jesus? 

®What did the Jews say to Pilate about it? 
" What did the soldiers do now ? 

^^ What did they say about His coat that was without a seam? 
^Repeat the Scripture in which this had been prophesied. 



280 THE SEVEN WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS. A. D. 33. 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. "Take off thy shoes! " here is holy ground, consecrated by the 
atoning blood of the God-man, Jesus. No man is able " to search out, 
to think out and to speak out " this sacred story. Sink yourself in 
mind deeper and deeper into it. 

2. Simon of Cyrene, whom Mark (Chap. 15: 21) knew as the 
father of Alexander and Rufus, takes the place of Simon Peter, who 
failed to appear on time, in spite of his promise. If you do not 
come when the Lord calls you, then another will come. 

3. Oh, how great is the hatred of infidelity against Jesus! They 
try to rob Him, not only of His life, but also of His legitimate honors. 
But " What I have written, I have written," applies to God's words 
also. 



O sacred Head, now wounded, 

With grief and shame weighed down; 
Now scornfully surrounded 

With thorns, Thy only crown; 
O sacred Head, what glory. 

What bliss, till now, was Thine! 
Yet, though despised and gory, 

I joy to call Thee mine. 



58. THE SEVEN WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS. 

Matt. 27: 31, 32. Mark 15: 20, 21. Luke 23: 46. John 19: 26, 27. 

When they had crucified Jesus, He cried out and said, 
^Father, forgive them ; for they know not what they do. — And 
they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and 
saying, ^Ha, Thou, that destroyest the temple, and buildest it 
in three days, save Thyself. If Thou art the Son of God, come 
down from the cross. In like manner also the chief priests 
mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, ^He saved 
others ; Himself He cannot save. If He be King of Israel, let 
Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on 
Him. He trusted in God ; let Him deliver Him now,, if He 
desireth Him. For He said, I am the Son of God. But *there 
were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His 
mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magda- 
lene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the dis- 
ciple standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, 
Woman, behold thy son ! Then saith He to the disciple, "Be- 
hold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her 



A. D. 33 THE SEVEN WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS. 281 

unto his own house. And one of the malefactors which were 
hanged railed on Him, saying, 'If Thou be Christ, save Thy- 
self and us. But the other answered, and rebuking him, said, 
*Dost thou not even fear God, seeing that thou art in the same 
condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due 
reward of our deeds : but this man hath done nothing amiss. 
And he said unto Jesus, ''Lord, remember me when Thou 
comest in Thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, ^''Verily I 
say unto thee. Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. And 
it was now about the sixth hour (12 o'clock), and a darkness 
came over the whole land until the ninth hour (3 o'clock). 
And the sun was darkened. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried 
v^ith a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, 
My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? And some of 
them that stood by when they heard, said, He calleth Elias. 
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accom- 
plished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, ^^I thirst. 
There was set there a vessel full of vinegar. And straightway 
one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, 
and put it on a reed, and put it to His mouth. And the rest 
said. Let be, let us see whether Elias cometh to take Him down. 
When Jesus had received the vinegar, He said, "It is finished. 
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, and said, "Father, 
into Thy hands I commend my spirit! He bowed His head 
and gave up His spirit. 

"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from 
the top to the bottom. And the earth did quake, and the rocks 
were rent ; and the tombs were opened ; and many bodies of the 
saints which slept came out of the tombs after His resurrection, 
and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now 
the centurion, which stood over against Him, and they that 
were with him, watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, 
and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, 
"Certainly this was a righteous man, and the Son of God. And 
all the multitudes that came together to this sight, when they 
beheld the things, that were done, returned smiting their 
breasts. "And many women were there beholding from afar, 
which had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him : 
among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of 
James and Joses, and Salome, and the mother of the sons of 
Zebedee. And many other women, which came up with Him 



282 THE SEVEN WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS. A. D. 33. 

unto Jerusalem ; and all His acquaintance stood afar off, seeing 
these things. 

^How did Jesus pray for His tormentors even on the cross? 
^How did the rabble rail at Him? 
^ How did the chief men of the Jews taunt Him ? 
*Who of His friends stood near His cross? 
•* What did He say to His grief-stricken mother ? 
®What did He say to John, the "disciple whom He loved?" 
'How did the impenitent malefactor revile Him? 
^ How did the other, the penitent malefactor, rebuke Him ? 
^What did he say to Jesus? 
^'*What comforting reply did he receive? 
" What did Jesus cry out at the ninth hour ? 
" What did He say when He knew that all was finished ? 
" What did He do when he had taken some vinegar ? 
"How did He pray at last with a loud voice? 
"What miracles took place when Jesus died? 
"What did the centurion and others say, when they saw these 

signs ? 
" Who else was near and saw all these things ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. O wonderful love, that even when dying prays for murderers, 
provides for relatives and pardons repentant sinners! And for us 
it is often so hard, oh, so hard, to forgive the least insults, and to 
provide in faithful love, and in days of health for our own! 

2. You can see here at the cross whether Jesus loves you with 
all His heart. For " greater love hath no man than this, that a man 
lay down his life for his friends." " Ye are my friends," saith Jesus, 
" if ye do the things which I command you." 

3. Since Jesus died for us we can now be saved in death. He 
hath broken off the sting of death, and carried away sin, and re- 
opened the portals of life. Our death is the entering into eternal life. 



Thou Majesty divine! 
Jesus, on that cross of Thine! 
Who can prove his love to Thee 
By such test of agony? 
From Thy cross, uplifted high, 
Beloved, cast Thine eye: 
Turn me to Thee, heart and soul; 
By Thy sorrows n>ake me whole. 

O 



A. D. 33. THE BURIAL OF JESUS. ' 28a 

59. THE BURIAL OF JESUS. ' 

Matt. 27. Mark 15. Luke 23. John 19. 

^The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that 
the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the Sabbath, 
for the day of that Sabbath was a high day, asked Pilate that 
their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 
The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and 
of the other which was crucified with Him. ^But when they 
came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake 
not His legs : but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His 
side, and straightway there came out blood and water. 

And at even, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day 
before the Sabbath, there came ^Joseph of Arimathsea, an hon- 
orable councillor, and a good and just man, who had not con- 
sented to their counsel and deed, and was himself a disciple of 
Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews, and who also himself 
was waiting for the kingdom of God), and went in boldly unto 
Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. "Pilate marveled if 
He were already dead : and calling unto him the centurion, he 
asked him whether He had been any while dead. And when 
he learned it of the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 
And he bought a linen cloth, and took Him down. 

And 'there came also Nicodemus, he who at the first came 
to Jesus by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 
an hundred pound weight. So ^they took the body of Jesus, 
and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the 
Jews is to bury. ^Now in the place where He was crucified 
there was a garden ; and in the garden a new sepulchre, which 
Joseph had hewn out in the rock, wherein was never man yet 
laid. There laid they Jesus because of the Jews' Preparation 
day ; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. ^And they rolled a 
great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And 
the Sabbath drew on. 

And ^the women, which had come with Him out of Galilee, 
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, followed after, and be- 
held the sepulchre, and how His body was laid. And they re- 
turned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath 
day they rested according to the commandment. Now on the 
morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief 
priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate, 



284 THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. A. D. 33. 

saying, "We remember that that deceiver said, while He was 
yet alive, After three days I rise again. - Command therefore 
that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply 
His disciples come, and steal Him away, and say unto the peo- 
ple, He is risen from the dead : and the last error will be wors^ 
than the first. Pilate said unto them, "Ye have a guard : go 
your way, and make it as sure as ye can. So ^^they went, and 
made the sepulchre sure, setting a guard, and sealing the stone, 

•^What did the Jews ask of Pilate? 

^ Why did the soldiers not break the legs of Jesus ? 

^ Who asked Pilate for the body of Jesus ? 

^With what success? 

^Who assisted Joseph of Arimathsea? 

*What did they do together? 

' "Where did they take the body of Jesus ? 

^ How did they close the sepulchre ? 

^ Who else Avas present at the burial ? 
^° What did the chief men of the Jews say to Pilate ? 
" A^Tiat did Pilate ansAver them ? 
"What did they do then? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. Jesus was by no means in a trance. The soldiers and their 
centurion made an official report to Pilate, that He had died; but also 
His pierced side, from which blood and water flowed, establishes His 
death beyond all doubt. 

2. Even now the fruit of the atoning death of Jesus begins to 
blossom. Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathsea. who had heretofore 
only been secret disciples of Jesus, come forward and declare them- 
selves freely and publicly for the reviled Nazarene. 

3. Divine providence is revealed also in the death of Jesus. 
They had intended to make His grave with the wicked; but with the 
rich was He in His death. 



So Jesus slept; God's dying Son 

Passed through the grave and blessed the bed! 
Rest here, blest saint, till from His throne 

The morning break, and pierce the shade. 



6o. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. 

Matt. 28. Mark 16. Luke 24. John 20. 

'And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Alagdalene, and 
Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices that they 



A. D. 33. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. . 285.. 

might come and anoint Him. And they came on the first day 
of the week very early in the morning, at the rising of the sun, 
unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had pre- 
pared, and certain others with them. And they were saying 
among themselves, 'Who shall roll us away the stone from the 
door of the sepulchre ? And, behold, there was a great earth- 
quake. For ^an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and 
came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 
His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as 
snow. And *for fear the watchers did quake, and became as 
dead men. 

And when the women looked, they saw that the stone was 
rolled away : for it was very great. Then Mary MagdaleAe 
runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple 
whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, ^They have taken away 
the Lord out of the sepulchre and we know not Where they ha^e 
laid Him. And they (the women) entered into the sepulchre, 
and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And while they 
were perplexed thereabout, they saw a young man sitting on 
the right side, arrayed in a long white robe. And, behold, two 
men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And they were af- 
frighted, and bowed down their faces. 

And the angel said unto the women, ^Fear not ye : for I 
know that ye seek Jesus of Nazareth which hath been crucified. 
Why seek ye the living among the dead ? He is not here. He 
is risen, even as He said. Come ; see the place where the Lord 
lay; and go quickly, and tell His disciples and Peter. And, lo, 
He will go before you into Galilee ; there shall ye see Him. 
^Remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Gali-» 
lee, saying. The Son of man must be delivered up into the 
hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise 
again. And they remembered His words. 'And they went 
out from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and ran to 
bring His disciples word ; and they said not anything to any 
man; for they were afraid. 

"Then Peter went forth, and the other disciple, and came 
to the sepulchre. And they ran both together : and the other 
disciple outran Peter, and came first to the sepulchre, and look- 
ing in seeth the linen cloths lying ; vet went he not in. "Then 
cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the se- 
pulchre, and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, 



286 THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS. A. D. 33. 

that was upon His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but 
rolled up in a place by itself. Then went in also the other dis- 
ciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw and be- 
lieved : for as yet they knew not the scripture, that He must 
rise again from the dead. ^^Then the disciples went away 
again. 

^ Who were the first ones to visit the sepulchre of Jesus ? 
^ What did they say among themselves on the way ? 
^ What occurred in the meanwhile ? 

* How did this affect the watchers ? 

^ What did Mary Magdalene say to Peter and John ? 

* What did the other women do, and what did they see ? 
' What did the angel say unto them ? 

'Of what did he remind them especially? 

* What did the affrighted women do then? 

^^ Which ones of the disciples hastened then to the sepulchre? 
"In what order were the burial cloths laid? 
^ What else is said of the disciples ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Truth, like God Himself, is immortal. Although it be at- 
tacked, and violated, and nailed to the cross, and buried, yet it will 
rise again like Jesus, the absolute Truth. Destroy this temple, and — 
John 2: 19. 

2. A bad conscience awakens fear and apprehension; hence the 
Jews take all kinds of precautionary measures; they seal the stone 
and place a guard around the sepulchre to prevent the defeat they 
fear; but the (supposed) foolishness of God is wiser than men (1 Cor. 
1: 25). 

3. The Holy Spirit had a special end in view when He caused a 
record to be made of this beautiful action of the holy women, who were 
the last at the cross and the first at the sepulchre. It extols womanly 
piety and is an example for Christian womanhood. 

4. The blessing of the resurrection of Christ cannot be described; 
for thereby He has overcome death, and received the testimony from 
the Father, that His sacrifice for our reconciliation has been accepted. 
Secondly, we are now by His power raised up to a new life, and finally, 
the resurrection of Christ is to us a sure pledge of our blessed resur- 
rection. 



The Lord of Life is risen, 

And love no longer grieves; 
In ruin lies death's prison, 

Sing, heralds, Jesus lives. 
We hear Thy blessed greeting; 

Salvation's work is done! 
We worship Thee, repeating: 

" Life for the dead is won ! " 



A. D. 33. JESUS APPEARS UNTO MARY AND THE DISCIPLES. 287 

6i. JESUS APPEARS UNTO MARY AND THE DIS- 
CIPLES. 

Matt. 28. Mark 16. Luke 24. John 20. 

^Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven 
devils, was standing without at the sepulchre weeping. And 
as she wept, she looked into the sepulchre, and she beholdeth 
two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the 
feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, 
Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them. Because 
they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they 
have laid Him. 'When she had thus said, she turned herself 
back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was 
Jesus. Jesus saith unto her. Woman, why weepest thou, whom 
seekest thou? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith 
unto Him, Sir if Thou hast borne Him hence, tell me where 
thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. ^Jesus saith 
unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto Him, 
Rabboni ; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith to her, *Touch 
me not, for I am not yet ascended unto my Father : but go unto 
my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father, and 
your Father ; and my God and your God. 

And as they (those who were with Mary) went to tell His 
disciples, behold Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they 
came and took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. Then 
saith Jesus unto them, ''Fear not : go tell my brethren that they 
depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 

Now while they were going, behold, ^some of the guard 
came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things 
that were come to pass. And Vhen they were assembled with 
the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto 
the soldiers, saying, ^Say ye. His disciples came by night, and 
stole Him away while we slept. And if this come to the gov- 
ernor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they 
took the money, and did as they were taught. 

Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have 
seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her, 
And *they, when they heard that He was alive, and had been 
seen of her, disbelieved. And their words seemed unto them 
as idle tales, and they believed them not. ^"Thereafter, yet on 
the same day, Jesus was seen of Cephas (Simon Peter). 



288 THE DISCIPLES THAT WENT TO EMMAUS. A. D. 33. 

^ What else does the evangelist report of Mary? 

^ For whom did she take the risen Jesus? 

^How did Jesus make Himself known, and how does she call Him? 

* What did Jesus say unto !Mary ? 

^ What did Jesus say in the meanwhile unto His disciples, when 

He met them ? 
®What occurred when the disciples went on? 
'What did the chief priests do? 

^ What were the watchers to say, who had been bribed? 
®How did the disciples receive Mary's message? 
*°To whom did Jesus appear on the same day? 



APPLICATIOXS. 

1. Like Mary, I, too, have sometimes mistaken Jesus for another 
than He is; or have believed that some one had taken Him away, or 
have sought help, and counsel, and consolation from the dead;' but 
when He again called me by my name, I fell at His feet and exclaimed 
joyously, Rabboni. 

2. Yes, the last error becomes worse than the first, but on the 
side of the deceitful rulers of the Jews. Money, much money, is 
placed into the hands of the watchers, and a monstrous lie upon their 
tongue. Such cunning is, indeed, too threadbare. 

3. Be not surprised, that the disciples were so slow to under- 
stand and to believe the great prophecies of Christ's kingdom, of His 
work, office, suffering and resurrection; they had not such abundant 
historical evidence before them, as I and you have. And yet, are you 
more ready to discern and believe divine things than they were? 



Our hearts, be pure from evil, 
Then we may see aright 

The Lord in rays eternal 
Of resui'rection light. 



62. THE DISCIPLES THAT WENT TO EMMAUS. 

Mark 16. Luke 24. 

^After that He appeared in another form unto two of 
them, as they walked on their way into the country. And, be- 
hold, two of them were going that very day to a village called 
Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem. And 
they communed with each other of all these things which had 
happened. And 'it came to pass, while they communed to- 
gether, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But 
their eyes were holden that they should not know Him. And 



A. D. 33. THE DISCIPLES THAT WENT TO EMMIUS. 289 

He said unto them, What communications are these that ye 
have one with another, and are sad? And one of them named 
Cleopas, answering said unto Him, "Art Thou only a stranger 
in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come. 
to pass there in these days? And He said unto them, What 
things? And they said unto Him, ^The things concerning 
Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and 
word before God and all the people : and how the chief priests 
and our rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and 
crucified Him. But we hoped that it was He who should re- 
deem Israel. And beside all this, today is the third day since 
these things were done. ^Moreover certain women of our com- 
pany amazed us, having been early at the sepulchre : and when 
they found not His body, they came, saying, that they had also 
seen a vision of angels, which said that He was alive. And 
certain of them that were with us went to the sepulchre and 
found it even as the women had said : but Him they saw not. 

And Jesus said unto them, ^O foolish men, and slow of 
heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken. Be- 
hooved it not the Christ to suffer all these things, and to enter 
into His glory ? And beginning from Moses and from all the 
prophets. He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things 
concerning Himself. And they drew nigh unto the village 
whither they were going: and 'He made as though He would 
go further. And they constrained Him, saying, ^Abide with 
us : for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. 
.And He went in to abide with them. And it came to pass, as 
He sat at meat with them. He took the bread, and blessed it, 
and brake, and gave to them. And ^"their eyes were opened, 
and they knew Him ; and He vanished out of their sight. 
And they said one to another, ^^Did not our heart burn within 
us, while He spake to us in the way, while He opened to us the 
scriptures? And ^^they rose up that very hour, and returned 
to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them 
that were with them, saying, ^^The Lord is risen indeed, and 
hath appeared to Simon. And "they told the things that hap- 
pened in the way, and how He was known of them in the break 
ing of the bread. 

^ In what manner did Jesus reveal Himself further ? 

-What came to pass while they were speaking of these thino-s? 

^How did the supposed stranger speak to them? ^ 

19 



290 JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES AND TO THOMAS. A. D. 33. 

"* What was the reply Cleopas made ? 

* What did he relate in answer to the question " What things ? " 

^ What was his remark in reference to the report of the resurrec- 
tion ? 
"'What was the Lord's reply? 

* What did He do when they came near the village of Emmaus ? 
®What did thei:wo disciples ask Him to do? 

^•^ What occurred, when Jesus sat at the table with them and l)roke 

the bread? 
^^ Repeat the remarks they made when Jesus disappeared. 
^^ Where did they go the same evening ? 
^^ Give the words of greeting of the eleven. 
" What did the two relate to them ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The resurrection of Jesus was a fact so great and glorious, 
that the disciples at first were unable to believe it; yet they spoke 
among themselves of the things that had taken place. 

2. The Lord is always near to him and will make his heart burn 
within him and reveal Himself to him, who cleaves to the word of 
God and speaks reverently of the great mvsteries of faith (John 14: 
21). 

3. The request of the disciples of Emmaus, " Abide with us, for 
it is toward evening," is a prayer for Christians at all times. Oh, 
what are we, if the Lord does not abide with us, if evening is drawing 
nigh in our heart, in our home, in our congregation, and in the hour 
of death! 



Abide with me; fast falls the eventide: 
The darkness deepens; Lord! with me abide; 
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, 
Help of the helpless! Oh, abide with me! 



63. JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES AND TO 

THOMAS. 
Luke 24. John 20. 

*The same day at evening, being the first day of the week, 
when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled 
for fear of the Jews, and they were speaking of these things, 
Jesus revealed Himself unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and 
came and stood in the midst and saith unto them. Peace be unto 
vou. But ^they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed 
that they beheld a spirit. And He said unto them, Why are 



A. D, 33. JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES AND TO THOMAS. 291 

ye troubled? and wherefore do reasonings arise in your heart? 
See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself : handle me, and 
see ; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye behold me hav- 
ing. And when He had said this, He showed them His hands 
and His feet. *Then were the disciples glad, when they saw 
the Lord. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and won- 
dered, He said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat? 
And they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and of an honey- 
comb; and He took it, and did eat before them. Then said 
Jesus to them again, ^Peace be unto you. As the Father hath 
sent me, even so send I you. And when He had said this. He 
breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy 
Ghost. Whose soever sins ye forgive they are forgiven unto 
them: whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus (twin), 
was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples 
therefore said unto him. We have seen the Lord. But he said 
unto them, "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the 
nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my 
hand into His side, I will not believe. ^And after eight days 
again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them. 
Jesus Cometh, the door being shut, and stood in the midst, and 
said. Peace be unto you. Then saith He to Thomas, ^Reach 
liither thy finger, and see my hands ; and reach hither thy hand 
and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 
Thomas answered and said unto Him, °My Lord and my God. 
Jesus saith unto him, ^'^Thomas, because thou hast seen me, 
thou hast believed : blessed are they that have not seen, and yet 
Jiave believed. 

^ How did Jesus reveal Himself unto tlie eleven ? 
*What impression did His appearance make upon them? 
^ What did the Lord say ? 

*What was the result when the disciples saw the Lord? 
" What else did Jesus say unto them ? 

• Repeat the remark Thomas made when they said, " We have seen 

the Lord." 
'What happened after eight days? 

* What did Jesus say to Thomas ? 
' What did he exclaim ? 

^° What did Jesus say to him then ? 



292 JESUS AT THE SEA OF TIBERIAS. A. D. 33. 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. Behold, the disciples held their meetings behind locked doors 
" for fear of the Jews." Do tell us, ye deniers of the resurrection of 
Jesus, and of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, how these timid men. 
became the heroic conquerors of the world! 

2. Efforts are made to weaken this testimony of the disciples, by 
declaring that they were credulous men, and enthusiasts. History 
proves just the contrary; it was hard for them to believe. Listen to 
Thomas! (Compare John 24: 25, * and many other passages.) 

3. To demand a tangible proof, a proof perceptible by the senses, 
in order to believe, is in itself a dangerous degree of unbelief; it is 
not unreasonable. For I no longer need to believe what I see. The story 
of Thomas proves, however, that the Lord is willing to meet honest 
doubters and to grant them faith. 



Yes ! I believe ; and only Thou 
Canst give my soul relief; 

Lord, to Thy truth my spirit bow; 
" Help Thou mine unbelief ! " 



64. JESUS AT THE SEA OF TIBERIAS. 

John 21. 

After these things Jesus manifested Himself to the disci- 
ples at the sea of Tiberias. He manifested Himself on this 
wise. ^There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called 
Didymus, and Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of 
Zebidee, and two other of His disciples. Simon Peter saith 
unto them, I go fishing. They say unto him, We also go 
with thee. ^They went forth and entered into the boat; and 
that night they caught nothing. ^But when the morning was 
come, Jesus stood on the beach : but the disciples knew not that 
it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye 
aught to eat? They answered Him, No. And He said unto 
them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall 
find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to 
draw it for the multitude of fishes. 

That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto 
Peter, It is the Lord. "Now when Simon Peter heard that it 
was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), 
and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came 
in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but 



A. D. 33. JESUS AT THE SEA OF TIBERIAS. 293 

about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes. 
When they got out upon the land, they saw a fire of coals there, 
and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, ^Bring 
of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, 
and drew the net to land full of great fishes, one hundred and 
fifty and three. And for all there were so many, the net was 
not rent. Jesus saith unto them, Come and break your fast. 
*And none of the disciples durst inquire of Him, Who art thou ? 
knowing it was the Lord. Jesus cometh, and taketh the bread, 
and giveth them, and the fish likewise. 

When they had broken their fast, Jesus saith unto Simon 
Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? 
He saith unto Him, ^Yea, Lord ; Thou knowest that I love 
Thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith unto him 
again a second time, ^Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me? 
He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee. 
He saith unto him. Tend my sheep. He saith unto him the 
third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was 
grieved because He said unto him the third time, Lovest thou 
me ? And he said unto Him, '"Lord, Thou knowest all things ;. 
Thou knowest that I love Thee. Jesus saith unto him, 'Teed 
my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast 
young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou 
wouldest ; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth 
thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither 
thou wouldest not. ''Now this He spake, signifying by what 
manner of death he should glorify God. And when He had 
spoken this. He saith unto him, Follow me. 

^ To which disciples did Jesus manifest Himself at the sea of Ti- 
berias ? 
^ What did they do now, being fishermen ? 

^How did Jesus manifest Himself to them, and what did He say? 
*What did Peter do when John exclaimed, It is the Lord? 
^ What did Jesus say unto them when they had landed? 

* Did the disciples recognize Him ? 

'What did Jesus say to Peter after they had finished eating? 

* What was his reply? 

^ What did the Lord say a second, and a third time unto him ? 
^° What was Peter's third reply? 
^^ What did Jesus say to him then? 
^^ Why did Jesus say it ? 



294 THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. A. D. 33. 

APPLICATIONS. 

1. The fishermen returned to their nets, to their former vocation; 
thereby was fulfilled what the Lord had prophesied, '' Ye shall be 
scattered, every man to his own" (John 16: 30). Never be found in 
that which is your own, but in that whicli is your heavenly Father's. 

2. How remarkably the thoughts of man become his accusers. 
When the brethren of Joseph were sorely tried they said, in their fear, 
" We are verily guilty concerning our brother." Thus the threefold 
question of Jesus reminded Peter of his threefold denial of his Master. 
Have you never said unto yourself, when in great tribulation, " You 
were the fault of this yourself then and there ? " 

3. Jesus took Peter into a very severe examination. Its object 
was to show the genuineness of his repentance, to secure for him his 
former standing with his brethren and to assign to him anew the 
apostolic office which he had forfeited. Having learned by bitter ex- 
perience, he says not that he loved the Lord more than the others; he 
has been cured of his unseemlv self-confidence. 



I will love Thee, — all my treasure! 

I will love Thee, — all my strength ! 
I will love Thee, — without measure, 
And will love Thee right at length. 
Oh, I will love Thee. Light' divine, 
Till I die and call Thee mine. 



-O 



65. THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 

Matt. 28. Mark 16. Luke 24. Acts 1. 

^But the eleven disciples went unto the mountain where 
Jesus had appointed them. And there were gathered there 
more than five hundred brethren (i Cor. 15:6). And when 
they saw Him, they worshiped Him: but some doubted. And 
Je^us came and spake to them, saying, "All power is given unto 
me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, into all the 
world, and preach the Gospel to the whole creation, baptizing 
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost : teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I com- 
manded you. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ; 
but he that disbelieveth shall be damned. And ^these signs 
shall follow them that believe : In my name shall they cast out 
devils; they shall speak with new tongues, take up serpents, 
and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. 



A. D. 33. THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. 295 

They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. And, 
*lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. 

"^Jesus showed Himself to His disciples forty days, speak- 
ing the things concerning the kingdom of God. And, being 
assembled together with them (for the last time in Jerusalem), 
He commanded them, that they should not depart from Jeru-- 
salem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said 
He, ye heard from me. Behold, I send forth the promise of 
my Father upon you. But "tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, un- 
til ye be clothed with power from on high. For John indeed 
baptized with water ; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy 
Ghost not many days hence. They that were come together, 
asked Him, saying. Lord, dost Thou at this time restore the 
kingdom of Israel ? And He said unto them, ^It is not for you 
to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set in His 
own power ; but ye shall receive power when the Holy Ghost 
is come upon you : and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jeru- 
salem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost 
part of the earth. And *He led them out as far as to Bethany, 
and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. ^And it came 
to pass, while He blessed them, as they were looking up, He 
was taken up ; and a cloud received Him out of their sight, and 
was carried up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of 
God. 

And ^Vhile they were looking into heaven as He went, be- 
hold, two men stood by them in white apparel ; which also said, 
"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? This 
Jesus, which was received up from you into heaven, shall so 
come in like manner as ye beheld Him going into heaven. And 
''they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great 
joy from the mount called Olivet, and were continually in the 
temple, praising and blessing God. 

^ Where did a large number of disciples see Jesus again ? 

* What did Jesus say to the eleven ? 

^ What signs were to accompany their preaching? 

*What special promise did He give? ^ 

^How long did Jesus tarry with His disciples after His resurrec- 
tion? 

® Where were they to assemble for the last time? 

' What was the reply of Jesus to their question, when He would 
restore the kingdom of God? 

* Where did Jesus lead them now ? 



296 THE FIRST CHRISTIAN PENTECOST. A D. 33. 

^ \^niat came to pass, while He blessed them ? 

^° Whom did the disciples see when Jesus ascended into heaven? 

^What did the angels say to them? 

^ What dia tlie discipieo do now? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. To be permitted to see Jesus with the physical eye was in- 
deed a great favor, but the joy of seeing soon came to an end. 

2. Those receive a still greater favor, who believe in Jesus and 
love Him, without seeing Him. At some time they shall see Him for- 
ever, and rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 John 3: 2. 
1 Pet. 1: 8). 

3. The last command, "Preach the Gospel," and the last promise, 
" I am with you alway," which Jesus left to His own, are in force to- 
day; they stand like a pair of great and noble columns at the portals 
of His kingdom. 

4. The wonderful circuit has been completed. When alluding to 
His ascension, Jesus Himself declared, " I came out from the Father 
and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go unto the 
Father-"' (John 16: 28). 

5. What a consolation for believers that Christ is their advocate 
in the presence of His Father, and that they have in His ascension a 
sure pledge, that He as the Head, will also take them. His members, 
up to Himself (Rom. 8: 34). 



We, Lord, with hearts adoring, 
Follow Thee beyond the sky; 

Hear our prayers Thy grace imploring, 
Lift our souls to Thee on high. 



-O- 



66. THE FIRST CHRISTIAN PENTECOST. 

Acts 2. 

When the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all 
together in one place in Jerusalem. And ^suddenly there came 
from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it 
filled all the house where they were sitting. And ^there ap- 
peared unto them cloven tongues like as fire (small flames). 
And it sat upon each one of them. ^And they were all filled 
with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, 
as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling 
at Jerusalem Jews from every nation under heaven. And 
when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and 



A. D. 33. THE FIRST CHRISTIAN PENTECOST. 297 

were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking 
in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, 
saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak 
Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own lan- 
guage wherein we are born? Parthians, and Medes, and 
Elamites, and dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea, and 
Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, in Phrygia, and Pamphylia, 
in Egypt, and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners 
from Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do 
hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God. 
And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to 
another, What meaneth this? '^But others mocking said, 
They are filled with new wine. 

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, 
and said unto them, ''Ye men of Judaea, these are not drunken, 
as ye suppose, seeing that it is but the third hour of the day 
(9 o'clock in the morning). But it is that which hath been 
spoken by the prophet Joel. And it shall come to pass in the 
last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all 
flesh. ^Ye men of Israel, hear these words : Jesus of Naza- 
reth, a man approved of God tmto you by mighty works and 
wonders and signs, which God did by Him, in the midst of you, 
even as ye yourselves know. Him ye have taken, and by wicked 
hands have crucified and slain. Him God raised up. Being 
therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received 
of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath poured 
forth this which ye see and hear. *Let all the house of Israel 
therefore know assuredly, that God hath made Him both Lord 
and Christ, this Jesus whom yc crucified. 

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their 
heart, and said, ^Men and brethren, what shall we do? And 
Peter said unto them, "Repent ye, and be baptized every one 
of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your 
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. "They 
then that received his word were baptized: and there were 
added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. 
"^^And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and 
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. They 
sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, ac- 
cording as any man had need. And they, continuing daily with 
one accord in the temple, praising God, with gladness and 



298 THE FIRST CHRISTIAN PENTEOCST. A. D. 33. 

singleness of heart, and having favor with all the people, 
"And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be 
saved. 

*Wliat occurred when the disciples were all together? 
^What appeared at the same time? 
*What was the effect of this wonderful manifestation? 
*What did the multitude say that was attracted by this miracle? 
•What did the scoffers say? 
•How did Peter answer them? 
*How did he explain this manifestation? 

•What was his testimony before all the people concerning Christ? 
•Being convinced, what did they say? 
*°What was Peter's answer? 
"What was the result of Peter's first sermon? 
^ What can you say of the observances of this, the first Christian 

church? 
"What blessing was the result? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If the divine Spirit is to gain room and to work unhindered, 
man must heed the word of God, and continue in prayer, and the meet- 
ings must be " of one accord." 

2. The visible and audible signs at the outpouring of the Holy 
Spirit were like bells with which God called together the first Pente- 
costal assembly; they were also impressive symbols of the manifold 
operation of His Spirit. 

3. On account of man's sin, there was a confusion of tongues at 
Babel; through the gift of the Holy Spirit a limit was set to this 
confusion, and, in a measure, their unity restored, as a sign that 
Christ's kingdom is to unite the nations of all languages. 

4. If the minister is full of faith and the Holy Spirit, the word 
will pierce the hearts of the hearers and work repentance, although 
some of them may scoff. 

5. It is not always the fault of the minister, if a congregation 
is wanting in blessings and prosperity. The first church continued in 
all good things; it was benevolent, it was with one accord in the tem- 
ple, it rejoiced in God, and the Lord added daily such as should ba 
saved. 



Holy Ghost, Divine Creator, 

Who didst on the waters move; 
Holy Ghost, Regenerator, 

Author of all life and love; 
Holy Ghost, Illuminator. 

Who didst then with fire baptize; 
Holy Ghost, great Renovator, 

Come, the world evangelize. 



A. D. 33. PETER HEALS A LAME MAN. 299 

ey. PETER HEALS A LAME MAN. 

Acts 3,4. 

Now Peter and John were going up together into the tem- 
ple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And ^a cer- 
tain man that was lame from his mother's womb was carried, 
whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called 
Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple. 
^When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he 
asked for alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with 
John, said. Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expect- 
ing to receive something from them. But Peter said, ^Silver 
and gold have I none ; but what I have, that give I thee : In the 
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up, and walk. And he 
took him by the right hand, and raised him up. And *imme- 
diately his feet and anklebones received strength ; and leaping 
up he stood, and walked, and entered with them into the tem- 
ple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the peo- 
ple saw him walking and praising God. And as the lame man 
which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran to- 
gether unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly 
wondering. 

When Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, ^Ye men 
of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why fasten ye your eyes 
on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made 
him to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of 
Jacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified His Son Jesus ; 
whom ye delivered up, and denied before Pilate. But the 
Prince of Life, whom ye killed, God hath raised from the dead ; 
whereof we are witnesses. And by faith in His name hath 
given this man whom ye see and know, this perfect soundness 
in the presence of you all. ^And now, brethren, I know that 
in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. Repent ye 
therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. 

^And the priests laid hands on them, and put them in 
ward. And on the morrow their rulers assembled, and set 
them in the midst and inquired, *By what power, or in what 
name have ye done this? Then ^Peter, filled with the Holy 
Ghost, said unto them. Ye rulers of the people, and elders of 
Israel, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye cruci- 
fied, whom God raised from the dead, doth this man stand here 



300 PETER HEALS A LAME MAN. A. D. 33. 

before you whole. And in none other is there salvation : for 
neither is there any other name given among men, wherein we 
must be saved. "When they beheld the boldness of Peter and 
John, they marveled. And the charged them not to speak at 
all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John an- 
swered, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken 
unto you rather than unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but 
speak the things which we saw and heard. "And they, when 
they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing 
how they might punish them, because of the people : for they 
all glorified God for that which was done. 

^Whom did Peter and John meet at the door of the temple? 

^ For what did the lame man ask? 

'What did Peter say to him? 

*What happened, when Peter took him by the hand? 

° ^ATiat did Peter say to the wondering people ? 

•How did Peter end his speech? 

'What (lid the priests do with the two disciples? 

'What did the rulers ask them the next morning? 

•What Avas the reply of the disciples? 
^"What did the rulers say now? 
"What did Peter and John answer them? 
"How did the rulers dismiss them? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Never neglect to attend worship, and if it were only a prayer- 
meeting; you know not what blessing you will receive, or give to 
others. 

2. What a power there is in the holy name of Jesus ! Not only a 
born cripple is healed in the name of Jesus, but in it. and in it alone, 
is salvation for the whole world. 

3. How wonderfully the courage of the disciples of Jesus grew, 
after they were fully convinced of His resurrection, and had received 
the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They speak the truth fearlessly in the 
face of dungeon and bonds, and reply to all threats, " We cannot but 
speak." 



Spirit of the Lord, prepare 

All the round earth her God to meet; 
Breathe Thou abroad like morning air. 

Till hearts of stone begin to beat. 



A. D. 34. ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA. 301 

68. ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA. 

Acts 4: 32; 5: 11. 

And ^the multitude of them that beHeved were of one heart 
and soul : and not one of them said that aught of the things 
which he possessed was his own ; but they had all things in 
common. And 'with great power gave the apostles their wit- 
ness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus ; and ^as many as 
were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the 
prices of these things that were sold, and laid them at the 
apostles' feet : and distribution was made unto each according 
as anyone had need. 

But ^a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his. 
wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his 
wife also being privy to it, and brought a part, and laid it at 
the apostles' feet. But Peter said, ^Ananias, why hath Satan 
filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back 
part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, did it not 
remain thine own ? and after it was sold, was it not in thy 
power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? 
Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And ^Ananias 
hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost. And 
a great fear came upon all that heard it. 

And the young men arose, and wrapped him round, and 
carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space: 
of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was-, 
done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, ^Tell me 
whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, ^Yea,, 
for so much? But Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have- 
agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the 
feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door ; 
and they shall carry thee out. And "she fell down immediately 
at his feet, and gave up the ghost. And the young men came 
in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried' 
her by her husband. And great fear came upon the whole 
church, and upon all that heard it. 

*How intimate was the union of the first Christians? 

^ What is reported of the apostles ? 

'What did they do with their property? 

*What did one of them do? 

^ What did Peter say to him about this dishonesty? 

® What followed upon the words of Peter ? 



302 STEPHEN IS STONED TO DEATH. A. D. 36. 

' What were Peter's words to the wife of Ananias, when she came 
in? 

* What was her reply ? 

• What did Peter say then ? 

*°What took place after Peter's remark? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The example of the first Christians in respect to communism 
of property was by no means a standard for later times. Having their 
property in common was caused by the unfavorable condition of 
the affairs of that day, and was voluntary. 

2. Wherever believers are intimately united with each other and 
have received grace, evil cannot make headway nor receive sanction. 
Punishment of the same awakens fear and aversion. 



Forgive my follies past, 

The crimes which I have done; 
Bid a repenting sinner live, 

Through Thine Incarnate Son. 



-O 



69. STEPHEN IS STONED TO DEATH. 

Acts 6, 7. 

The word of God increased ; and the number of the disci- 
ples increased and multipHed in Jerusalem. And a great num- 
ber of priests were obedient to the faith. And ^Stephen, one 
of the seven deacons, full of faith and power, wrought great 
wonders and signs among the people. But there arose cer- 
tain ones disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to 
withstand the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. 
^Then they suborned men, which said. We have heard him 
speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God ; and 
they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and 
came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the 
council; and °all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw 
liis face as it had been the face of an angel. And the high 
priest said, Are these things so? 

And ^Stephen defended himself in a long speech and spoke 
of that, which the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, had 
done for their fathers, and how their fathers had always re- 
sisted the will of God; finally he said, ^Ye stifif-necked, ye do 



A. D. 36. STEPHEN IS STONED TO DEATH. 303 

always resist the Holy Ghost : as your fathers did, so do ye. 
Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and 
they killed them which shewed before the coming of the Right- 
eous One ; of whom ye have now become betrayers and mur- 
derers : ye who received the law, and have not kept it. ^Now 
when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and 
gnashed on him with their teeth. 

But '^he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked into heaven, 
and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right 
hand of God, and said. Behold, I see the heavens opened, and 
the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. ^But 
they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and 
rushed upon him with one accord, and they cast him out of 
the city, and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their 
garments at the feet of a young man named Saul ; and they 
stoned Stephen, calling and saying, ''Lord Jesus, receive my 
spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, 
Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had 
said this, he fell asleep. And devout men buried Stephen, 
and made great lamentation over him. ^°But Saul was 
pleased with his death. 

^What is reported of Stephen in this story? 
•What did some men do who were not able to withstand him? 
^What impression did his appearance make upon the councillors? 
*What was Stephen's reply to the false accusations? 
''What did he say at last? 
*How was his speech received? 
'What did Stephen s«€ and say? 
* What did his enemies do now? 
^What did Stephen cry out when they stoned him? 
^°What is said of Saul, who was present? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. It is a plain proof that a person is defending a good cause, if 
his opponents try to overcome his superior strength of mind by false- 
hood, mockery, and force. 

2. Those become beautiful and angel-like people, who are filled 
with the Holy Spirit and are ever determined to stand up for their 
Saviour, to live and die for Him. 

3. The innocent children of Bethlehem, whom Herod murdered, 
were the first but anconscious Christian martyrs; Stephen, however, 
was the first conscious one. 

4. It is a noteworthy fact that here we meet Saul — afterwards 



304 THE CHAMBERLAIN FROM ETHIOPIA. A. D. S6. 

Paul — for the first time in sacred history. How wonderful are the 
leadings of the divine grace of God. The same man who had taken 
part in the stoning of Stephen and was pleased with it, himself at last 
dies for Jesus. 



Jesus, Thou Christ of God, 
By Thy perennial word 

Lead us where Thou hast trod, 
Make our faith stronsr. 



70. THE CHAMBERLAIN FROM ETHIOPIA. 

4-cts. 8. 

And ^there arose in that day a great persecution against 
the church in Jerusalem ; and they were all scattered abroad 
throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the 
apostles. ^But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every 
house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. 
^They that were scattered abroad went about preaching the 
word. 

But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, *Arise,. 
and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from 
Jerusalem unto Gaza. And he arose and went. And behold, 
^a man of Ethiopia, a chamberlain of great authority under 
Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treas- 
ure, who had come to Jerusalem for to worship ; and he was 
returning, and sitting in his chariot, and was reading Isaiah 
the prophet. 

And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thy- 
self to this chariot. And Philip ran to him, and heard him 
reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, ^Understandest thou 
what thou readest? And he said, ^How can I, except some 
one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and 
sit with him. Now the place of the scripture which he was 
reading was this, ^" He w^as led as a sheep to the slaughter ; 
and as a lamb dumb before his shearer." (Isa. 53.) And 
the chamberlain answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of 
whom speaketh the prophet this? And ^Philip opened his 
mouth, and beginning from this scripture, preached unto him 
Jesus. 

And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain 



A. D. 37. THE CHAMBERLAIN FROM ETHIOPIA. 305 

water : and the chamberlain saith, ^°See, here is water, what 
doth hinder me to be baptized? And PliiHp said, "If thou be- 
Uevest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and 
said, ^'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. ^^And he 
commanded the chariot to stand still : and they both went 
down into the water, and Philip baptized him. Then the 
Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the chamberlain 
saw him no more: and "he went on his way rejoicing. 

* What arose at this time in Jerusalem ? 

* Who was especially active in this persecution? 
'What did those do that had been scattered? 
*What did an angel of the Lord say unto Philip? 
^ Who met him as he went ? 

® What did Philip say to the chamberlain ? 

' What was his reply ? 

*What passage in Isaiah was he reading? 

*What did Philip do at the chamberlain's request? 
" What did the chamberlain now say to Philip ? 
" What was Philip's answer ? 
" Give the chamberlain's confession. 
" What did Philip do on the strength of this ? 
"And what is said of the chamberlain? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. If you strike into a fire with a stick, the sparks will fly in all 
directions, and every spark will kindle a new fire; thus it was with the 
persecution of the Christians. 

2. Here you can see that a higher, invisible hand directs every- 
thing, and that nothing depends on blind chance. The meeting of 
Philip and the chamberlain was according to divine disposition. 

3. Once more a devout heathen, and this time one from far 
away Ethiopia, receives instruction in the word of God, confesses his 
faith in Jesus Christ, is baptized, and goes home rejoicing. Jesus 
makes happy and noble people. 



Love of God, so pure and changeless, 
Blood of Christ, so rich, so free; 

Grace of God, so strong and boundless; 
Magnify it all in me. 



20 



306 THE CONVERSION OF PAUL THE APOSTLE. A. D. 38. 

71. THE CONVERSION OF PAUL THE APOSTLE. 

Acts 9. 

But ^Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against 
the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and asked 
of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he 
found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, Ee 
might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And 'as he journeyed 
and came near Damascus : and suddenly there shone round 
about him a light out of heaven. And he fell upon the earth, 
and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why perse- 
cutest thou me? And he said, 'Who art thou, Lord? The 
Lord said, T am Jesus whom thou persecutest; it is hard for 
thee to kick against the pricks. And Paul, trembling and as- 
tonished, said, "'Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? And 
the Lord said unto him, ^Arise, and go into the city, and it shall 
be told thee what thou must do. And the men that journeyed 
with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no 
man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes 
were opened he saw nothing. And ^they led him by the hand, 
and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days 
without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. 

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named 
Ananias ; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, ^Ananias, 
go to the street which is called the Straight, and inquire in 
the house of Judas for one named Saul of Tarsus : for, behold, 
he prayeth, and he hath seen in a vision a man named Ana- 
nias coming in, and laying his hand on him, that he might 
receive his sight. But Ananias answered, *Lord, I have heard 
how much evil he did to Thy saints at Jerusalem : and here he 
hath authority from the high priests to bind all that call upon 
Thy name. The Lord said unto him, ^Go thy way : for he is a 
chosen vessel unto me. And Ananias departed, and entered 
into the house ; and laying his hands on him said, ^"Brother 
Saul, the Lord hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy 
sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And "straightway 
there fell from his eyes, as it were, scales : and he received his 
sight ; and he arose, and was baptized ; and he took food and 
was strengthened. And straightway in the synagogues he 
proclaimed Jesus that He is the Son of God. 
^^Vhat do we hear of Saul now? 



A. D. 38. CORNELIUS THE CENTURION. 307 

^ What happened to him on the way to Damascus ? 

^ What did the voice reply, when he inquired, Who art Thou? 

* What did the trembling and astonished Saul say ? 
^ What command did the Lord give him ? 

* What did the men that were with him do now ? 

■^ What did the Lord say unto Ananias in a vision ? 

* What was his reply ? 

^ What did the Lord command him to do ? 

^°How did Ananias address Saul when he came into the house? 
" What happened to Saul now, and what did he do ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Boast not so much of your power, ye mighty ones of the 
world ! There dwelleth One in heaven who is mightier than all of 
you, and He saith, *' Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further." And 
that comes to pass. 

2. The conversion of a zealous persecutor of the first Christians 
is a glorious triumph of divine grace; the lion became a lamb; the 
proud Pharisee was changed to a humble disciple of Jesus, and the 
persecutor of His cause to its successful furtherer. 

3. Saul's conversion was only apparently sudden. Most suddenly 
did the decisive moment occur, but who can say what great battle 
went on in his heart from the time he saw the blessed death of 
Stephen full of faith, under the stony rain of the Jews, to the day 
when the Lord cast him to the ground so unawares! 



Beautiful Saviour, Lord of the nations 
Son of God and Son of man! 

Glory and honor, praise, adoration, 
Now and for evermore be Thine. 



72. CORNELIUS, THE CENTURION. 

Acts 10. 

^There was a certain man in Cassarea, Cornelius by name, 
a Roman centurion, a devout man, and one that feared God 
with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and 
prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision openly about the 
ninth hour of the day (3 o'clock) an angel of God coming in 
unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius. And when he looked 
on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it. Lord? And he 
said unto him, ""Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a 
memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and fetch 
one Simon Peter : he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose 



308 CORNELIUS THE CENTURION. A. D. 38. 

house is by the seaside : he will tell thee what thou oughtest to 
do. And 'he called two of his household servants, and a de- 
vout soldier, and sent them to Joppa. 

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew 
nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pra)r 
about the sixth hour (12 o'clock noon). 

And "he became hungry and desired to eat. But while 
they made ready, he fell into a trance, and he saw heaven 
opened and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great 
sheet let down by four corners upon the earth : Wherein were 
all manner of unclean beasts, and creeping things, and fowls 
of the heaven. And there came a voice to him, ^Rise, Peter, 
kill and eat. But Peter said. Not so. Lord ; for I have never 
eaten anything that is unclean. And a voice came unto him a 
second time, ^What God hath cleansed, make thou not com- 
mon. And this was done thrice: and the vessel was received 
up again into heaven. 

Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what 
the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men 
sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, 
stood before the gate, and called, and asked whether Peter 
were lodging there. And the Spirit said unto Peter, 'Behold, 
three men seek thee ; but arise, and get thee down, and go 
with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them. And 
Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from 
Cornelius ; and said. Behold I am he whom ye seek ; what is the 
cause wherefore ye are come? And they told him. So he 
called them in, and lodged them. And ^on the morrow Peter 
went with them, and they came to Caesarea. ^Cornelius was 
waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his 
near friends. And when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, 
and related what had taken place, and said, Now therefore 
we are all here present before God, to hear all things that 
have been commanded thee of God. 

And Peter opened his mouth, one said, "Of a truth I per- 
ceive that God is no respecter of persons : but in everv nation 
he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable 
to Him. "The word which God sent unto the children of 
Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all) ye 
know ; and we are witnesses of all things which He did both 
in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem. Him they slew 



A. D. 38. CORNELIUS THE CENTURION. 309 

and hanged on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and 
gave Him to be made manifest. And He commanded us to 
preach unto the people, and to testify that this is He which 
is ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To 
Him bear all the prophets witness, that through His name 
every one that believeth on Him, shall receive remission of 
sins. ^'While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost 
fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the Jews 
w^hich believed were amazed, because that on the Gentiles also 
was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

^ What is said of Cornelius ? 

' What did an angel say to him in a vision ? 

' What did Cornelius do then ? 

* Describe the vision Peter had the following day. 
' What did a voice say to him ? 

* What did a voice say when he refused to eat anything unclean ? 
' What did the Spirit say unto him while he was thinking of this 

vision? 

«What did Peter do then? 

"How did Cornelius receive him? 
^^'What did Peter say? ' 
"How did he preach Christ unto them? 
" What occurred after this sermon ? 



Al>PLICATIONS. 

1. The Lord said to Peter, " I will give thee the keys of the king- 
dom of heaven." On Pentecost he opened the kingdom of God unto the 
Jews, and in the house of Cornelius, unto the Gentiles. 

2. How difficult it is to overcome religious habits and prejudices! 
It required a miracle to induce Peter to go to the Gentiles with the 
message of salvation. 

3. The word of the cross manifests its power even in our day, 
among Jews, heathens, Turks and dead " name-Christians," if it is 
preached in the power of the Spirit. 



Salvation, salvation! 

The joyful sound proclaim. 
Till each remotest nation 

Has learnt Messiah's name. 



310 THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY OF PAUL. A. D.44. 

73. THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY OF PAUL 

THE APOSTLE. 

Acts 13. 

Now there were at Antioch, where the disciples were 
called Christians first, in the church that was there, prophets 
and teachers. And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, 
the Holy Ghost said, 'Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the 
work whereunto I have called them. ^Then, when they had 
fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent 
them away. And 'they came to Seleucia ; and from thence they 
sailed to Cyprus. And when they came to the city of Sala- 
mis, they proclaimed the word of God. 

And when they had gone through the island unto Paphos, 
they found a false prophet, a Jew, Bar-jesus: which was with 
Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, a man of understanding. The 
same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear 
the word of God. But °Bar-jesus, the sorcerer, withstood 
them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith. 
But Saul (who is also called Paul), filled with the Holy 
Ghost, fastened his eyes on him, and said, ^O full of all guile 
and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all right- 
eousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the 
Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, 
and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And 
^immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness ; and he 
went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. ^When 
the proconsul saw what was done, he believed, being aston- 
ished at the teaching of the Lord. 

°Paul, and those who were with him, sailed to Perga in 
Pamphylia, and came to Antioch of Pisidia, and they went 
into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. xA.nd 
after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of 
the synagogue sent unto them, saying, '"Brethren, if ye have 
any word of exhortation for the people, say on. And Paul stood 
up, and beckoned with the hand and said, "Men of Israel, 
hearken ; to you is the word of salvation sent, that the Mes- 
siah is born of the house of David. Be it known unto you 
therefore, brethren, that forgiveness of sins is proclaimed unto 
you; every one that believeth in this Jesus is justified. '"And 
when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles 



A. D. 44. THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY OP PAUL, 311 

besought that these words might be spoken to them. And 
"as the Gentiles heard them, they were glad, and glorified the 
word of the Lord : and as many as were ordained to eternal 
life beheved. And the word of God was spread abroad 
throughout all the region. But ^*the Jews stirred up a perse- 
cution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their 
borders. But they shook off the dust of their feet against 
them, and came unto Iconium ; and the disciples were filled 
with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. 

^What did the Holy Ghost say unto the brethren in Antioch? 
^How was this done? 
^ Where did these first missionaries go ? 
* What occurred in the city of Paphos ? 

''Who resisted them, when they proclaimed the word of God? 
' What did Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, say to him ? 
' What happened then ? 

®What impression did this miracle make upon the proconsul? 
'Where did the missionaries go next? 

" What Avord did the rulers of the synagogue send to them ? 
"What did Paul now say to them? 
"What did the Gentiles ask of them? 
"How did the Gentiles receive the word? 
" And what did envious Jews do ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Wherever the spirit and life of Christ dwell in a church, 
the spirit of missions will soon manifest itself. 

2. The sending out of a missionary into a distant country is a 
solemn act, and is done according to the will and command of God. 
They fasted, prayed, and ordained them by the laying on of hands; 
and the Lord called them to such service. 

3. The Jews rejected the word of life; the Gentiles received it 
thankfully and rejoiced. Is it not the same in our time? Many 
Christians only in name wantonly reject the Gospel, which has become 
a " light bread " for them, while multitudes of heathen, anxious for 
their salvation, stretch their hand for the same. 



Kingdoms wide that sit in darkness — 
Grant them, Lord, the glorious light; 

Now from eastern coast to western 
May the morning chase the night; 

Let redemption, freely purchased, win the day. 

0-—" 



312 PAUL AT LYSTRA AND DERBE. A. D. 44. 

74. PAUL AT LYSTRA AND DERBE. 

Acts 14. 

^And it came to pass in Iconium, that they so spake in 
the synagogue, that a great multitude both of Jews and Gen- 
tiles believed. Long tim.e, therefore, they tarried there, 
speaking boldly in the Lord, which bare witness unto the 
word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by 
their hands. ^And when there was made an onset, both of the 
Gentiles and Jews, to entreat them shamefully, and to stone 
them, they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Ly- 
caonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about : and 
there they preached the Gospel. And 'at Lystra there sat a 
certain man, who was lame from his mother's womb ; the same 
heard Paul speaking. And when he saw him, and perceiv- 
ing that he had faith to be made whole, he said with a loud 
voice. Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and 
walked. And when the multitudes saw what Paul had done, 
they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, 
*The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And 
they called Barnabas, Jupiter ; and Paul, Mercurius, because 
he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Jupiter, which 
was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the 
gates, and wanted to sacrifice with the people. But when the 
apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their gar- 
ments, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, 
''Sirs, why do ye these things? We are also men of like pas- 
sions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should 
turn unto the living God, who made the heaven and the earth, 
and the sea, and all that in them is. 

But ^there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium, 
and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and 
dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 
But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and 
entered into the city. And ^on the morrow he departed with 
Barnabas to Lystra and to Iconium, and to Antioch, confirm- 
ing the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in 
the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter 
into the kingdom of God. And ^they appointed them elders 
in every church, and prayed with fasting, and commended 
them to the Lord, on whom they had believed. And they 



A. D. 51. PAUL'S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 313 

went from there to Antioch, from whence they had been com- 
mitted to the grace of God for the work which they had ful- 
filled. "And when they were come, and had gathered the 
church together, they rehearsed all the things that God had 
done with them, and how that He had opened a door of faith 
unto the Gentiles. 

^ What was the result of the work of Paul and his companions in 

Iconium ? 
^ Where did they go from there on account of persecutions? 
^ What miracle did Paul perform there ? 
* What did the people say, when they saw it ? 
" What did apostles cry out when the people wanted to bring them 

sacrifices? 
' What happened to Paul then ? 
^ Where did they go now? 

® What did they do for the newly organized churches ? 
"What did they do when they had returned to Antioch? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Agitation and battle ensues where the gospel is preached in itg 
purity and with power. 

2. How great must have been the blindness of the Jews, that they 
as the chosen people of the covenant could show enmity towards the 
gospel and persecute its ministers, while the gentiles believed gladly. 

3. Good order is to prevail in the Church of God, every member 
is to be in his place and the members to help one another; for this 
reason the apostle appointed elders in the churches. (Eph. 4: 16.) 



The love of Christ unfolding-. 
Speed on from east to west. 
Till all. His cross beholding, 
In Him are fully blest. 



75. PAUL'S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY. 

Acts 15: 40-16: 22. 

But "^Paul chose Silas, and went forth with him to visit 
the brethren in every city in which he had preached the word 
of the Lord. And he went through Syria and CiHcia, con- 
firming the churches. And they were forbidden of the Holy 
Ghost to speak the word in Asia, and they came down to 
Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night : There 
was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, saying, 



S14 PAUL'S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY. A. D. 51. 

''Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And when he 
had seen the vision, straightway he sought to go forth into 
Macedonia, concluding that God had called him to preach the 
Gobpel there. ^Then Paul and his companions set sail from 
Troas to Philippi, the chief city of Macedonia, and preached 
there the word of the Lord. 

'And the multitude rose up together against them : and 
the magistrates rent their garments off them, and command- 
ed to beat them, and cast them into prison, charging the 
jailor to keep them safely. He cast them into the inner 
prison, and made their feet fast in stocks. But about mid- 
night Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto 
God And the prisoners were listening to them. And 'sud- 
denly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations 
of the prison-house were shaken. And immediately all the 
doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. "And 
when the jailor awoke out of his sleep and saw the prison 
doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, 
supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried 
with a loud voice, saying, ^Do thyself no harm : for we are 
all here. And he called for lights, and sprang in, and, trem- 
bling, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them 
out, and said, ^Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They said, 
^Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, 
thou and thy house. And they spake the word of the Lord 
unto him, with all that were in his house. And he took them 
the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes ; and he 
was baptized, he and all his, immediately. 

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, 
saying, Let those men go. "And they went out of the prison. 
And when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, 
and departed. And "they came to Thessalonica, where was a 
synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as his custom was, went 
in unto them, and reasoned with them from the scriptures, 
opening, that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise 
again from the dead : and that this Jesus, whom he preached, 
was the Christ. And "some of them were persuaded; but the 
Jews, being moved with jealousy, set the city on an uproar. 
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by 
night unto Berea. There they went into the synagogue. 
^^They received the word with all readiness of mind, exam- 



A. D. 51. PAUL AT ATHENS. 315- 

ining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so. But 
when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word 
of God was proclaimed of Paul at Berea also, they came 
thither likewise, stirring up the multitudes. 

^ Who accompanied Paul on this missionary journey? 

^ What did a man from Macedonia say to him in a vision ? 

^ Where did he and his companions go now? 

*What happened to them in Philippi? 

^What occurred at midnight, when they were praising God in 
prison? 

•How did this impress the jailor? 

'What did Paul cry out aloud to him? 

*What did the jailer say on his knees? 

• What answer did he receive ? 

"What did Paul and Silas do when they were set free? 
" Where did they go from Philippi ? 

^ What was the result of their preaching in Thessalonica ? 
"How did those of Berea receive the word? 
"What did the Jews do here, too? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. The great earthquake and the shaking of the foundations of 
th© prison house were God's loud Amen to the prayers of His mal- 
treated servants. 

2. Certainly a supernatural power dwells in the living faith of 
the Christian, that enables him to endure such tribulation and violence; 
the apostles could, in addition, even joyously praise God. 

3. Paul spoke from his manifold experience, when he wrote to 
the Christians of Corinth, that the gospel is to some a savor of life 
unto life, and to others a savor of death unto death. (II Cor. 2: 16.) 



Increase my courage, Lord! 
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, 
Supported by Thy Word. 



76. PAUL AT ATHENS. 
Acts 17. 

^But Paul went to Athens, and he reasoned in the syna- 
gogue with the Jews, and in the market-place every day with, 
them that met. with him. And 'certain philosophers also en- 
countered him, and said, What will this babbler say? He 
seemeth to be a setter-forth of strange gods : because he 
preached the gospel of Jesus, and the resurrection. ^And 



316 PAUL AT ATHENS. A. D. 51. 

they took him, and brought him unto the Areopagus (a high 
place where learned men and statesmen assembled), saying, 
May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by 
thee ? 

And Paul stood in the midst of the place, and said, *Ye 
men of Athens, I observed your devotions, and found an altar 
with this inscription. To the unknown God. What therefore 
ye worship in ignorance, this set I forth unto you. ^The God 
that made the world and all things therein. He, being Lord 
of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with 
hands. And he is not far from each one of us. For in Him 
we live, move, and have our being, as certain even of your own 
poets have said, For we are also His offspring. ^And the 
times of ignorance God overlooked ; but now He commandeth 
all men everywhere to repent : because He hath appointed a 
day, in which Fie will judge the world in righteousness by the 
man in whom He hath given assurance, in that He hath raised 
Him from the dead. 

''Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, 
some mocked : but others said, We will hear thee again of 
this matter. ^But certain men clave unto him, and believed : 
among whom was Dyonisius the Areopagite, and a woman 
named Damaris, and others wath them. 

^ Where did Paul go from Berea ? 

^How was he treated by the philosophers? 

^ Where did they take him ? 

* What did he say to them ? 

'What did he proclaim of the true, but to them, unknown God? 

® What application did he make of what he had said ? 

' What was the result of his speech ? 

®What was the fruit of his missionaiy work? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Judge no one unheard. The learned men of Athens looked 
upon Paul with contempt, and supposed that the plain apostle was 
a " babbler," and idle talker, but his speech caused them to think. 

2. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, " Ye know not what ye 
worship." The Athenians ignorantly worshiped " the unknown 
God " ; they knew not yet the true God. It is thus today. Many 
say they know God, but deny it with their works. 

3. Repentance before God and faith in Jesus Christ are the 
main contents of pure evangelical, apostolic preaching ; * and God 
demands them from every one. 



A.D. 51. PAUL AT CORINTH. 31T 

Lord, incline me to repent; 
Let nie now my fall lament — 
Deeply my revolt deplore, 
Weep, believe, and sin no more. 



yj. PAUL AT CORINTH. 

Acts 18. 

*After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came 
to Corinth ; and he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in. 
Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla (be- 
cause Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart frrm 
Rome), and he came to him. And because he was of the same 
trade, he abode with them and wrought : for by their trade 
they were tentmakers. And 'he reasoned in the synagogue 
every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks. But when 
Silas and Timotheus came down from Macedonia, Paul was 
constrained by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus. 
was the Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and 
blasphemed, he shook out his raiment, and said unto them,. 
^Your blood be upon your own heads ; from henceforth I 
will go unto the Gentiles. And he departed thence, and went 
into the house of a certain man named Justus, one that wor- 
shiped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. And. 
*Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with 
all his house; and many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed, 
and were baptized. And the Lord said unto Paul in the night,. 
by a vision, ^Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace : 
for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm, 
thee : for I have much people in this city. 

And ^he dwelt there a year and six months, teaching the 
word of God among them. ^Thereafter he took his leave of 
the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Pris- 
cilla and Aquila; and they came to Ephesus, and he entered 
the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And they asked 
him to abide a longer time. And he consented not ; but bade 
them farewell, saying, ^I must by all means keep this feast that 
cometh in Jerusalem : but I will return unto you, if God will. 
''And he set sail from Ephesus and came to Csesarea ; he went 
up, and saluted the church, and went down to Antioch. And 
having spent some time there, he departed, and went through 



318 PAUL AT EPHESUS. A. D. 54. 

the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening 
all the disciples. 

^ Where did Paul go from Athens ? 

MVhat did he do in Corinth? 

^ What did he say to the Jews who opposed themselves and blas- 
phemed ? 

*What was the effect of Paul's preaching on the Gentiles? 

^ What did the Lord say unto him in a vision ? 

'How long did Paul remain at Corinth? 

' W^here did he go then ? 

* What did he say to the brethren at Ephesus who urged him to 
stay longer? 

' Where did he go from Ephesus ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. It is a great encouragement and a treat for a lonely servant 
of God, when he meets brethren of kindred mind in a foreign land. 

2. He who receives a messenger of the Gospel as Aquila and 
Priscilla did Paul the apostle, will have a sure reward. The Lord 
said to His disciples, " He that receiveth you receiveth me." 

3. Wherever the Lord opens doors for the Gospel, His servants 
-should carry it in at once; He wants to gather there "much people." 

4. In God's kingdom we must not only plant, but water also. 
Paul was intent upon visiting the churches he had planted, and to 
strengthen the disciples, to encourage and to comfort them. 



Blest be the tie that binds 
Our hearts in Christian love; 

The fellowship of kindred minds 
Is like to that above. 



78. PAUL AT EPHESUS. 

Acts 18: 11— Chap. 20. 

Paul remained one year and six months at Corinth, then 
he went down to Antioch. Thereafter he came to Ephesus 
and preached, and taught concerning the kingdom of God. 
And ^this continued for the space of two years ; so that all 
they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, 
both Jews and Greeks. And ^God wrought special miracles 
by the hands of Paul. So mightily grew the word of the 
Lord and prevailed. 

And about this time there arose no small stir. For ^a cer- 



A. D. 54. PAUL AT EPHESUS. 319 

tain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver 
copies of the celebrated temple of Diana, and brought no little 
business unto the craftsmen. He called them together and 
said, *Sirs, ye know that by this trade we have our wealth. 
And ye see and hear, that not alone in Ephesus, but almost 
throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away 
much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made 
with hands. And not only is there danger that this our trade 
come into disrepute ; but also that the temple of the great 
goddess Diana should be made of no account. ''When they 
heard this, they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, 
Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was 
filled with the confusion. And they rushed with one accord 
unto the theatre. Some cried one thing, and some another : 
for the assembly was in confusion ; and the more part knew not 
wherefore they were come together ; and they cried out about 
the space of two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 

And when the uproar had ceased for the town clerk had 
quieted the multitude, Paul called unto him the disciples and 
took leave of them, and departed for to go into Macedonia; 
and from there he went to Corinth. And Vhen Paul had spent 
three months in Corinth, he hasted to be at Jerusalem the day 
of Pentecost. And ^he entered into a ship and sailed to Syria 
by Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Trogyllium to Miletus. 

"And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him 
the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, 
he said unto them, "I go unto Jerusalem, not knowing the 
things that shall befall me there : save that the Holy Ghost 
testifieth unto me in every city saying that bonds and afflic- 
tions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither 
hold I my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I 
may finish my course with joy; I know that ye shall see my 
face no more. "Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by 
space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night 
and day with tears. "And now, brethren, I commend you to 
God, and to the word of His grace. And when he had thus 
spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. "^^And 
they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sor- 
rowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that 
they should behold his face no more. And they accompanied 
him unto the ship. 



320 PAUL A PRISONER. A. D. 58, 

*How long did Paul preach at Epliesus? 

^ What -uas the success of his ministry? 

'Who created a disturbance on account of the Gospel? 

* What did Demetrius say to his craftsmen ? 

^ What resulted from his speech ? 

nVhat did Paul do now? 

" Where did he intend to go ? 

^ What route did he take ? 

*What did he do when he arrived at Miletus? 

" What did he say to the elders of Ephesus ? 

^ What was his final admonition? 

" What beautiful farewell benediction did he leave them ? 

^ What impression did he make upon all ? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. Wlio are they that attack the Gospel? They are the makers 
and the worshipers of idols; those who do not like to give up their 
sins and worldliness. It is thus even in the present day. 

2. It is something beautiful, and a special favor of God, when 
Christian churches are united Avith such tender yet strong bonds 
with their pastors, that separation cannot but be accompanied with 
pain and tears; and separation must come some time. 

3. True faith makes heroes and performs miracles. Paul had 
a definite presentement of his imprisonment in Jerusalem and his im- 
pending martyr's death; yet he could not be restrained from going to 
Jerusalem, because he deemed it his duty. In like manner Luther 
spake in spite of all objections, " I am summoned to Worms, to 
Worms will I so." 



Saviour, where'er Thy steps I see, 
Dauntless, untried, I follow Thee; 
Oh, let Thy hand support ine still, 
And lead me to Thy holy hill! 



-O- 



79. PAUL A PRISONER. 

Acts 21-26. 

When Paul came to Jerusalem, he went to James ; and 
all the elders were present. And Vhen he had saluted them, 
he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought 
among the Gentiles by his ministry. And 'they, when they 
heard it, glorified the Lord. But when the Jews from Asia 
saw Paul in the temple they stirred up all the multitude, and 
laid hands on him, crying out, ']\Ien of Israel, help: This is 
the man, that teacheth all men everywhere against the law, 



A. D. 58. PAUL A PRISONER. 321 

and this place. And all the city was moved, and the people 
ran together. ^ *And they took Paul, and drew him of the 
temple. And straightway the doors were shut. ''And as they 
were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain 
of the band. And forthwith he took soldiers and centurions 
and ran down upon them. And they, when they saw the chief 
captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul. 'Then the chief 
captain came near, and laid hold on him, and commanded him 
to be bound with two chains ; and inquired who he was, and 
what he had done. Some shouted one thing, some another, 
among the crowd. ^And when he could not know the cer- 
tainty for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into 
the castle. And he was borne of the soldiers for the violence 
of the crowd. For the multitude of the people followed after, 
crying out. Away with him. And Paul was brought into 
prison. ^But in the night the Lord stood by him, and said. 
Be of good cheer, Paul : for as thou hast testified concerning 
me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. 

"And when it was day, more than forty bound themselves 
under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they had killed 
Paul. ^°But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, 
and he came and entered into the castle, and told Paul. And 
Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring 
this yoimg man unto the chief captain: for he hath something 
to tell him. And when the chief captain heard that forty 
men had conspired to kill Paul, he called unto him two of the 
centurions, saying, "Make ready two hundred soldiers, and 
horsemen three score and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at 
the third hour of the night (9 o'clock in the evening) ; and 
provide for them beasts, that they might place Paul thereon, 
and bring him safe unto Felix the governor, at Caesarea. This 
was done. So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took 
Paul, and brought him to Caesarea and delivered him to the 
governor. "He kept Paul in prison for two years. And when 
Paul said, "I appeal unto Caesar, the governor answered, 
"Thou hast appealed unto Caesar : unto Caesar shalt thou go. 

^What did Paul report to the elders in Jerusalem? 

^How was his report received? 

^ What did some malevolent Jews from Asia cry out when they 

saw Paul in the temple? 
* What did they do with him ? 
^ Who hindered the Jews from killing him ? 
21 . ., z,-^..^'^' 



S22 PAUL'S VOYAGE TOWARDS ROME. A. D. 60. 

'What command did the chief captain give? 

' Where did he have them take Paul ? 

^ Who stood by him to comfort him ? 

® \Aliat did a number of Jews do now ? 
"How did Paul learn this? 

^^ What command did the chief captain give when he heard it? 
^ How did the governor treat Paul? 
" What did Paul say to Festus, a later governor ? 
"What was Festus' reply? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. It requires only a few lying brawlers to east odium upon 
an innocent person. The masses of the people follow them blindly. 

2. It is very instructive for Christians, that heathens who knew 
not God had to prevent the Jewish people of the covenant from com- 
mitting a shameless murder. 

3. A nation that turns justice into violence, prepares its own 
destruction. The proud flourish, the rod is growing green. Soon 
after tbese events the city and the temple of the Jews lay in ashes. 

4. As early as the days of Paul there were judges that could 
be bribed. If Paul had given money to Festus, he would have 
been set free very soon; but Paul was not that kind of man. Be 
none yourself. 



Within Thy presence, Lord, 

Forever I'll abide : 
Thou art the tower of my defense, 
The refuge where I hide. 



-O- 



8o. PAUL'S VOYAGE TOWARDS ROME. 
Acts 27, 28. 

When it was determined that Paul should sail for Rome, 
they delivered him and certain other prisoners to a centurion 
named Julius of the Augustan band. And they sailed on the 
sea. ^And when much time was spent, and the voyage was 
now dangerous, Paul admonished them to remain, and not to 
go on. But the centurion believed the master more than the 
things which were spoken by Paul, and the more part desired 
to put to sea from thence. But ^after no long time there arose 
against their purpose a tempestuous wind (whirlwind). And 
when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, they 
gave way to it and were driven. And they feared lest they 



A. D. 60. PAUL'S VOYAGE TOWARDS ROME. 323 

should be cast upon the quicksands, they lowered the gear, 
and were so driven. And *being exceedingly tossed with a tem- 
pest, the next day they lightened the ship. And the third day 
they cast out the tackling of the ship. 

And when neither sun nor stars appeared in many days, 
and no small tempest lay on them, all hope of life was taken 
away. And when they had been long without food, then Paul 
stood forth in the midst of them, and said, °Sirs, ye should 
have hearkened unto me, and not to have gotten this injury 
and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer : for 
there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 
*For there stood by me this night an angel of the God, whose 
I am and whom I serve, saying. Fear not, Paul ; thou must 
stand before Caesar : and, lo, God hath granted thee all them 
that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer : for I 
believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit 
we must be cast upon a certain island. 

And while day was coming on, Paul besought all to take 
food, saying, ^This day is the fourteenth day that ye have taken 
nothing. Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for 
there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you. And 
when he had said this, he took bread, and gave thanks to God 
in the presence of all : and he brake it, and began to eat. Then 
were they all of good cheer, and also took food. "And when it 
was day, they knew not the land : but lighting upon a place 
where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground ; and the 
foreship stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the stern 
began to break by the violence of the waves. ^°And the sol- 
diers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should 
swim out and escape. But "the centurion desiring to save Paul, 
stayed them from their purpose ; and commanded that they 
which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, 
and get to land : and the rest, some on planks, and some on 
other things from the ship. And it came to pass, that they all 
escaped safe to the land. 

And as they were escaped, then they knew that the Island 
was called Melita (Malta). And ^'the barbarous people shewed 
them no common kindness : for they kindled a fire, and receiv- 
ed all, because of the rain, and because of the cold. ^^But 
when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on 
the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened 



324 PAUL'S VOYAGE TOWARDS ROME. - A. D. 60. 

on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging 
from his hand, they said one to another, "Xo doubt this man 
is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea 
yet vengeance suftereth not to hve. '"And he shook off the 
beast into the fire, and took no harm. But they expected that 
he would have swohen, or fahen down dead suddenly. ^''But 
after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to 
him, they said that he was a god. In the same neighborhood 
were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named 
Publius, who entertained them three davs courteouslv. And 
the father of Publius lay sick. "Paul entered in to him, and 
prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him. x\nd when 
this was done, the rest also, which had diseases in the island, 
came, and were healed. And ^\hey honored them with many 
honors ; and when they sailed they put on board such things 
as they needed. 

And thus they went toward Rome. And from thence, the 
brethren, when they heard of them, came to meet them. 
"When Paul saw them he thanked God and took courage. And 
when they came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners 
to the captain of the guard. But Paul was suffered to abide 
by himself with the soldier that guarded him. And ""Paul 
abode two years in Rome, preaching the kingdom of God, and 
teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all 
boldness, none forbidding him. 

*How did Paul begin Tiis voyage? 

^ \Yhat "u-as his admonition to the sailors ? 

^ ^Yhat occurred soon after ? 

*How did they try to ease the ship? 

° ^Yhat did Paul say to the people on board, when the situation:, 
was so hopeless, 

^ How did Paul know this ? 

■^What special admonition did he give? 

^What did he say when day was coming on? 

° What happened to the vessel ? 

^° ^Yhat did the soldiers want to do with the prisoners? 
^^ ^Yhy did the centurion not permit it ? 
^ How did the inhabitants of the island treat the shipwrecked 

people ? 
^^What happened to Paul? 

"What did the barbarians say when they saw it? 
^5 But what did Paul do? 

" What did the people say when Paul neither swelled nor fell 
down dead? 



A.D. 60. PAUL'S VOYAGE TOWARDS ROME. 325 

"What did Paul do to the sick father of Publius? 

^® How did the islanders show their gratitude? 

^^ How did it affect Paul when brethren came from Rome to meet 

him ? 
^°How long did he stay, and what did he do in Rome? 



APPLICATIONS. 

1. He who is godfearing and does the right has help in God, 
and finds favor with men when he suffers wrong. Thinlc of Paul, 
Joseph, David and others. 

2. Believers are a blessing for their fellowmen, even if they are 
iumbled and bowed down into the dust. All the people on board the 
ship were saved by the prayers of Paul and his trust in God. 

3. Do you see how contradictory and unreliable is the judg- 
ment of the world? The people of Melita called the holy apostle 
Paul a murderer, a wretched, cruel man, whom vengeance will not 
permit to live; and in the next moment they declare that he is a god. 

4. " Divided trouble is half of trouble ; divided joy is doubled 
joy." how greatly Paul was strengthened when the sympathizing 
brethren came from Rome to meet him! 



To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 

The God whom we adore, 
Be glory, as it was, is now, 
And shall be evermore. 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 



I. TIME OF THE APOSTLES. 

From the year 33 to 100 A. D. 

Although Christ himself was the founder of His Churchy 
yet it was not until after His ascension at the time of the out- 
pouring of the Holy Spirit, that it formally took its place in 
history. At that time was organized at Jerusalem the first 
Christian church, also called the mother church. It was pre- 
sided over chiefly by the apostles Peter, James and John, who 
were looked upon as the pillars thereof. 

As the beginning of church history, w^e must regard the 
fifth book of the New Testament, the History of the Apostles 
(The Acts). This reports the origin, the spread, the strug- 
gles and victories, joys and sorrow^s of the early Christians. 
Their life and character is here represented as in a picture. 
We see and hear how the power and the mercy of the Al- 
mighty manifested itself upon them ; we observe with what 
joy fulness and fearlessness, the apostles, before high and low, 
declare the great deeds of God and testify to all that Jesus, 
whom the Jews had crucified was the Messiah, the Anointed of 
the Lord. 

However with the courage of the witnesses of Christ, the 
rage of His enemies grew apace. The children of Abraham, 
according to the flesh, were the first to persecute Abraham's 
posterity in the spirit. The pious Stephen they stoned to 
death. James the elder they beheaded, Peter they threw into 
prison, and the church they harassed and terrified on all sides, 
so that because of the present distress, it was compelled to 
keep a common treasury in order to be able to help their suf- 
fering brethren. 

But even in these straits, the hand of God could be clearly 
seen. If a fire is beaten with a stick, the sparks fly in all direc- 
tions, and wherever a spark falls, it kindles a new fire. Thus 
it was in the case of the first Christian church. Those who 

326 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 327 

were scattered during the tribulations which came upon 
Stephen, went away to Phcenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, told 
the story of the cross and gathered new companies of believ- 
ers. Paul the former persecutor of the Church, whom the 
grace of God had changed into a humble disciple of Jesus and 
selected as a '' chosen vessel," traveled to the provinces of Asia 
minor, visited all the large cities, came to Corinth, Ephesus, 
Thessalonica, Athens, Philippi and organized flourishing con- 
gregations everywhere. 

Meanwhile among the heathen also, persecutions arose, 
a proof of how widely, even in the time of the apostles, Chris- 
tianity had spread. The story of Paul and Silas, which hap- 
pened in Philippi, and ended in the conversion of the jailer, 
is well known. — About the year 64 a. d._, the emperor Nero, a 
cruel tyrant, secretly set fire to Rome, and then spread the 
rumor that the despised Christians had done the deed. The 
conflagration raged for six days and seven nights continuous- 
ly, until almost half of the city lay in ashes. In order to give 
his false report the appearance of truth, he now treated the 
Christians most cruelly. Many were crucified, others sewn in 
the hides of wild animals and thrown before fierce dogs, which 
devoured them, and still others were smeared with pitch, set 
up as torches in Nero's garden and burnt alive for his amuse- 
ment. About this time also, Paul and Peter suffered a mar- 
tyr's death ; the latter was crucified, the former, however, since 
he was a Roman citizen, was put to death by the sword. In 
the reign of the emperor Domitian, which -extended from 81 
to 96, the second persecutions of the Christians arose. The 
rapid increase of their numbers is said to have been the cause 
thereof, since even several of the retainers of the emperor had 
become believers, and since Christians were considered a 
menace to the state. In his reign the apostle John was brought 
to Rome, but afterwards sent to the island of Patmos, where he 
received a revelation, whose story the Holy Spirit has pre- 
served in the very last book of the Bible, as a precious bequest 
of the Lord to His Church. 

Although the Church of Christ from the beginning had to 
contend with hostile powers from without, yet there were, 
troubles soon enough from within. These arose first of all 
from the relation of the believers out of Judaism to those out 
of heathenism, and also not infrequently from false teachers 



328 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 

and hypocritical confessors. When the disciples had become 
many, there arose a murmuring among the Greeks, the con- 
verted from the heathens, against the Hebrews, or the believ- 
ers from the Jews, inasmuch as the former believed that their 
widows were overlooked in the dailv distributions of supplies. 
Then the twelve called together the multitude of the believers 
and said : " It is not reason that we should leave the word of 
God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out 
among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost 
and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But 
we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the minis- 
try of the word." Thereupon they chose seven such men, and 
then there was instituted the office of deacons or stewards of 
the alms, as it exists even today in many congregations. 

The church at Antioch consisted of converted heathen and 
Jews. There came to them several from Judaea and said to 
the believers out of the heathen : " Except ye be circumcised 
after the manner of Aloses, yq cannot be saved." This anti- 
evangelical mingling of Christianity with Judaism caused 
much disturbance and contention in the Church. Paul and 
Barnabas, who were absent at the time, defended, in opposi- 
tion to the Judaistic part of the Church, evangelical freedom. 
But since after a great deal of discussion, they could come to 
no agreement it was decided, that Paul and Barnabas, together 
with several others out of their midst, should journev to Jeru- 
salem, to the apostles and elders, and present this question. 
They did so ; when they had arrived, the leaders and repre- 
sentatives of the church assembled to consider the question in 
a fraternal spirit. But even here, there arose several of the 
sect of the Pharisees, who had become believers, and said: 
The converted heathen must be circumcised, and commanded 
to keep the law of Moses. This opinion was opposed espe- 
cially by Peter and James. Peter related his experience with the 
Roman centurion Cornelius, how he himself, by a revelation 
from God, had been led into his house, how after hearing the 
Gospel Cornelius together with his whole household had been 
converted and the Holy Ghost had been poured out upon them, 
just as upon the circumcised believers. Filled with holy zeal, he 
cried out : *' Now, therefore, why tempt ye God, to put a yoke 
upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor 
we are able to bear? But we believe that through the grace 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 329 

of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." 
After James, also, had spoken, it was decided *' to lay no 
greater burden " upon the heathen brethren. This was the 
first council, the first Church assembly of the Christians. 

The apostle John returned again from exile to Ephesus, 
He lived to see the judgment of God over Jerusalem and it 
was his concern that the Christian churches of Asia Minor 
should continue pure and undefiled according to the gospel. 
Moreover he had many struggles with false teachers, who al- 
ready at that time, began to misinterpret the word of God and 
to spread dangerous errors. Such a false teacher was Cerin- 
thus, who denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. One day, John 
went to the baths in Ephesus. He noticed that this Cerinthus 
also was in the bath-houfee. Quickly he turned about and said : 
'' Let us flee, for the baths might collapse, when Cerinthus, the 
enemy of truth, is within." 

Still another report of John is preserved to us. He visited 
from Ephesus the neighboring churches. At one place, he 
found a youth, whose features attracted him ; and him he 
recommended to the faithful care of a teacher. The youth, 
however, yielded himself to idleness, which is the beginning of 
all evil. He sank deep, and became at last the leader of a band 
of robbers. John visited the church again, inquired for the 
youth and heard the dreadful news, that he was a robber, and 
that he was living in the robbers' castle in a neighboring 
mountain chain. John hastened thither, permitted himself to 
be caught by the robbers and said : '' Lead me to your captain." 
Hardly had this one seen him coming, when he took to flight. 
John hastened after him and called, " My son, why do you flee 
from your father, from an unarmed, aged man ? Fear not, yet 
there is hope ; only believe, Christ has sent me." Thereupon 
the youth stood still in trembling and cried bitterly. . He re- 
turned with him to the church, and John did not leave him, un- 
til he had done pennance and surrendered himself once more to 
Christ. Such was the power of love. 

Love was John's favorite theme. Since, because of his 
high old age, he no longer could visit frequently the assem- 
blies, he had himself carried in and repeated constantly this 
word, " Children, love one another." When asked, why he 
always said only this, he replied, " Such is God's command, 
and no more is needed." All the reports of the ancients agree, 



330 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 

that John Hved until the reign of Trajan, who ascended the 
throne in the year 98, and died a natural death at Ephesus at 
the great age of 90 or more years, about 100 years after the 
birth of Christ. 



II. FROM ST. JOHN TO COXSTANTINE THE GREAT. 

(From 100 to 306 A. D.) 
After Domitian, Nerva ascended the imperial throne of 
Rome. In his reign, the Christians again enjoyed a season of 
quiet. He reigned, however, only from 96 to 98. He was 
followed by Trajan, a brave and noble man; but Christ's king- 
dom was to him a piece of foolishness. Nevertheless the gos- 
pel won great victories. The temples of the gods stood de- 
serted; the number of houses of Christian worship increased. 
This aroused the wrath of the heathen priests, who found 
wailing tools in those, who gladly will do anything but the 
will of God. Since a severe law forbade the practice of every 
foreign religion, the Christia'ns could, in consequence, no- 
where expect legal protection ; they could even be bitterly per- 
secuted under the guise of right. Such was the case in 
Bythinia, where a learned and otherwise temperate man, Pliny, 
was governor. ]\Iany Christians were dragged before him for 
condemnation. He wrote to Trajan: " The contagion of this 
superstition has spread not only through the cities, but has 
penetrated even to the villages and individual country houses." 
He meant Christianity. 

To confess Christ was death. Many were sacrificed, es- 
pecially in Syria and Palestine. Simeon, also, the venerable 
bishop of the church at Jerusalem, which had reorganized it- 
self after the destruction of Jerusalem, was accused of being a 
Christian, was scourged for several days and finally crucified. 
He was a near relative to the Lord and 120 years of age. In 
the reign of the same emperor, Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, 
who may have known the apostle John, suffered, about the 
year 107, a martyr's death. He was brought to Rome and 
cast before wild animals for the amusement of the people. 

Trajan died in the year 117. He was followed by Adri- 
an. The persecution continued. On the occasion of a visit 
of Adrian at Athens (124) Quadratus, the bishop of the 
place, gave to him a writ of protection and Aristides a learned 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 331 

Christian did the same. Besides, the emperor received a report 
from a governor in Asia, in which he expressed the opinion^ 
that it seemed to him most unjust to execute the Christians, 
only to satisfy the clamor of the people, without having given 
them a trial or convicted them of a crime. All this influenced 
the emperor, to accord justice to the Christians. 

At the same time the Christians had to suffer a bitter per- 
secution at the hands of the Jews. Soon after the destruction of 
Jerusalem, fugitives from Judaea sought to spread the spirit of 
insurrection among the Jews in Egypt, and many rebels ended 
their lives in cruel torture. The Jews in Cyrene rebelled 
again in the reign of Trajan. They murdered Romans and 
Greeks and tortured them most cruelly. Almost 220,000 lost 
their lives. The same was attempted by the Jews in Egypt, 
and on the island of Cyprus, where they slew 240,000. In Pal- 
estine there arose a deceiver, who according to Balaam's 
prophecy (Num. 24: 17), called himself Barchochba, i. e., son 
of the star. This false Messiah had himself anointed king of 
Israel, promised miracles, persecuted most cruelly all who did 
not recognize him, especially the Christians, until after pro- 
tracted wars, he was conquered by Adrian's general. Pal- 
estine, because of this war, was now reduced completely to a 
desert ; 580,000 Jews perished by the sword, and a countless 
multitude from famine and pestilence. 

Although the Christians were to some extent, protected 
by the laws of Adrian, yet not even then did they enjoy a 
legal recognition. Soon, in the reign of Adrian's successor, 
Antoninus Pius, the widespread fury of the people broke forth 
again. Various misfortunes, famine, earthquakes, great con- 
flagrations at Rome, Antioch and Carthage, were the occa- 
sion thereof. It was believed, that the godless race of the 
Christians aroused the gods to such visitations of punishment. 
The emperor himself disapproved of the popular rage; but in 
the reign of his successor, Marcus Aurelius, it broke forth 
again. Everywhere raged the persecution of the Christians. 
At about this time Justin Martyr together with six other con- 
fessors was beheaded. Also the ninety-year-old Polycarp, 
bishop of Smyrna, fell a sacrifice to the popular frenzy. When 
they sought to induce him to abjure Christ, he said : " For 86 
years have I served Christ, and He has shown me nought but 
good ; how could I deny him ! " He was burned alive. 



332 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 

In France also, then called Gaul, there broke forth at 
that time a fearful persecution. Smyrna, in Asia Minor, was 
in alliance with Lyons, and from there the gospel was brought 
to France; from there, also, came the spirit of perse- 
cution. The first trial came from the people. In Lyons 
and Vienne the Christians were beaten, dragged through the 
streets, plundered and stoned. Many were imprisoned. The 
wickedness rose to a madness, which spared neither relatives 
nor friends. Finally the governor and the soldiers joined the 
rabble. Their whole rage was directed against the deacon 
Sanctus of Vienne, and Maurus, who had but recently been 
converted, and against the slave Blandina. The latter and 
Ponticus, whose sister, likewise, had been executed, were 
forced daily to witness how others while suffering inconceiv- 
able tortures, were put to death. Finally Ponticus, also, was 
executed : and Blandina after she had suffered the blows of the 
scourge, the bites of wild animals and other tortures, was 
placed into a net and cast before a wild bull, which tossed her 
about with his horns ; and thus she departed this life. 

It would make too long a story if one should wish to re- 
count in detail the tortures, patience, and steadfastness of the 
early Christians. Many perished in dark, loathsome prisons, 
as for instance Ponthinus, the bishop of Lyons. The madness 
against the Christians was satiated not even after their death ; 
even their dead bodies were abused. The bodies of those who 
suffocated in the prisons, were cast to the dogs, and guarded 
day and night that their friends might not give them burial. 
Towards the end of the reign of Marcus Aurelius, the perse- 
cution seems to have abated in a measure ; but complete peace 
was not yet granted to the Church of Christ. Even in the 
reign of Emperor Commodius (180-192) Clement of Alex- 
andria says : '' Daily many, many martyrs are burnt, crucified 
and beheaded before our eyes." 

In the reign of Septimus Severus ( 193-21 1) a fresh per- 
secution arose. He forbade severely every change to Judaism 
or Christianity. In Carthage at this time, there was impris- 
oned amongst several young Christians, who were receiving 
their first Christian instruction, a woman, 20 years of age, 
Perpetua by name. She was the mother of a child at the 
breast. Her mother was a Christian, but her father a heathen. 
He went to his daughter, whom he loved, and sought to per- 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 333-. 

suade her to deny Christ. He fell on his knees before her, 
kissed her hand and said with many tears : *' My daughter, 
have pity upon my gray hairs, have pity upon your father, if 
I am still worthy to be called your father." But all persuasion 
was of no avail. Perpetua remained steadfast and with the 
others was cast before savage beasts and torn to pieces. 

In the first half of the third century, the Christians en- 
joyed quiet from time to time. In addition to the many con- 
fessors who proved the word of God by their deeds, the Lord 
also called men who by their writings defended His honor 
against unbelief and superstition. The place of the apostolic 
fathers, of such teachers, who had enjoyed the instruction of 
the apostles themselves, as Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Bar- 
nabas the companion of St. Paul and Polycarp, a pupil of St. 
John, was taken by Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, 
Origen and Cyprian. Origen wrought untiringly for the glory 
of Christ, as well as for the spread of His kingdom in Ara- 
bia. It is reported that he wrote about 6,000 writings, de- 
fended Christianity against Celsus and died in the year 250. 

But besides the many learned men, who at this time con- 
secrated all their strength to the service of Jesus Christ, there 
were people who used their learning and wit only to fight His 
teachings and to cause them to be hated by the people. This 
was done especially by the learned heathen Lucian and Celsus. 
Lucian called the Christians " Wretched ones " because they 
believed in a resurrection and an eternal life; and Celsus, 
like Nicodemus, could not understand, how a person, accus- 
tomed to sin, could change his nature. But that which is im- 
possible with men, is possible with God. 

But far more dangerous than the outside opponents of 
Christianity were the false teachers, who arose in the Church 
and changed the truth to falsehood. There is no heresy of our 
time which has not come up in former times, and been con- 
demned and fought down. The Ebionites and Nazarenes,, 
Jewish Christians, sought to belittle the glory of Christ, in 
that they laid too great an emphasis upon the Mosaic teach- 
ing. The Gnostics (knowing ones), of whom there were sev- 
eral classes, mingled Christian teaching with heathen philos- 
ophy, as the Ebionites did Judaism and Christianity. The 
Manicheans, followers of a certain Persian Manes, combined 



334 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 

teachings of the Persian reHgion with Christian doctrines 
and beHeved in an eternal evil as well as a good spirit. Paul 
of Samosata considered Christ to be a greatly talented person 
and denied His divine nature ; and Theodotus, Artemon and 
Sabellius did the same. Some exalted Christ's human nature 
at the expense of His divinity; others, on the contrary, ac- 
cepted only His divine nature, neither believed nor confessed, 
that the Son of God is come in the flesh, that He is " very 
man and very God." 

In the year 250, the emperor Decius decreed, that the 
Christians should be compelled to conform to the heathen 
customs, and that those refusing should be executed. Many 
turned apostate, but others became strong and remained stead- 
fast. The 15 year old Dioscoros and the Presbyter Numidi- 
cus were especially noteworthy among these. The latter en- 
couraged many to meet death without fear. He saw his wife 
die upon the funeral pyre and was himself finally stoned to 
death. Many believers in Carthage suffered for weeks in 
prisons, and it was sought to force them by heat, hunger and 
thirst to a denial of Christ. At last, also, the head of Cyprian, 
who had encouraged and comforted so many, fell under the 
sword of the executioner. 

In the year 262 the persecutions ceased once more. Em- 
peror Gallienus permitted the Christians freedom in the exer- 
cise of their religion, and at this time the number of Christians 
increased rapidly in all ranks. There were many Christians at 
the courts of the emperors and in the armies. In place of the 
simple meeting houses, there arose now beautiful churches; 
but this period of quiet was followed by a time of sorrows. 
Diocletian was emperor of the Roman empire (284-304). 
Galerius, a bitter enemy of the Christians was the son-in-law 
of Diocletian, and reigned with him. At first, he succeeded in 
influencing Diocletian to issue a command (289), that all 
soldiers, including the Christians in the army, should bring 
sacrifices to the gods. Galerius accomplished still more. All 
assemblies of Christians were to be forbidden, their churches 
torn down. All manuscripts of the Bible (at that time there 
were no printed books) to be burned, the Christians were to 
forfeit all places of honor and preferment, and tortures were 
to be applied at the trials. 

This command brought fear and terror to the Christians. 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 335 

Soon, all the prisons were filled with believers, who would die 
rather than surrender the Word of God to the heathen. But 
they were not only to surrender the sacred scriptures ; all of 
them, the men, women and even the children were to bring sac- 
rifices to the gods. Yes, even all the eatables in the markets 
were to be sprinkled with sacrificial water, in order to bring 
the Christians in contact with the defiling offerings to the 
gods. The blood of Christians flowed for nearly eight years 
in copious streams. Then Galerius, the instigator of these 
bitter persecutions, was brought to his senses by a severe sick- 
ness. He realized that it was in no person's power to exter- 
minate the Christians. He feared now in his pains to suffer 
the punishment of the God of the Christians, and by a com- 
mand (301) ended this bloody persecution. 



in. FROM EMPEROR CONSTANTINE TO CHARLE- 
MAGNE. 

(From 306 to 814 A. D.^ 

Constantine was the son of the joint-emperor Constan- 
tius, who was favorable to the Christians. He succeeded his 
father in the year 306 and was soon involved in war with his 
colleagues. It was necessary for him to advance against 
Maxentius in Italy. On this expedition there occurred, as 
Eusebius tells us, a remarkable happening. For Constantine, 
who even in his father's house had heard of the God of the 
Christians, prayed while making this to him so important ex- 
pedition for the aid of God and desired to have an unmistak- 
able sign of His existence and omnipotence. One afternoon, 
when the sun was high in the heavens, he saw suddenly the 
flaming sign of the cross under the sun with the inscription, 
" In this sign you will conquer." The army and the emperor 
were astounded. During the night, Christ appeared with the 
same sign of the cross, and commanded him to make this 
sign his banner of war. Constantine did so, defeated Max- 
entius a few days thereafter, and became from this time on 
an ardent promoter and protector of the Church of Christ. 
He died, after receiving the rite of holy baptism in the joyful 
belief in his Saviour, on the 22nd of May, 337. 

In the reign of Constantine a divine of Alexandria began 



336 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 

a dispute, which for many centuries brought unspeakable mis- 
fortune upon the Christian Church. His name was Arius, a 
clever, talented man. For he taught, contrary to the Word 
of God and the generally accepted teaching of the Church, 
that the Son of God at one time was non-existent and had 
been created by God. Arius, together with his followers, was 
excommunicated from the Church by a synod convened at 
Alexandria. Now a fierce struggle began. Athanasius, Arch- 
bishop of Alexandria, arose against the false doctrine of Arius, 
but finally, since the Arians gained the upper hand, was forced 
to go to Treves into exile. 

What sort of an unchristian spirit began to reign in the 
outwardly victorious Christianity during the reign of ' Con- 
stantine and his sons is made evident by the fate of the pious 
Athanasius. Yes, a heathen author could affirm, that the en-. 
mity of the Christians against each other was much greater, 
than even the rage of the wild beasts against man. During 
such a sorrowful condition of the Christian Church, Julian 
ascended the imperial throne. His father was a brother of 
Constantine the Great. The wickedness of his royal cousins 
filled his heart with aversion to Christianity, whose true worth 
his proud spirit could not comprehend, although at first he out- 
wardly observed its forms and customs. But at the same 
time he secretly furthered heathenism. That which he had 
long wished for in secret, that is the suppression of Chris- 
tianity, he, as emperor, now did openly. The former laws 
against heathenism were abolished. Everywhere altars were 
again erected to the gods. Here and there Julian deprived 
the Christians of Church property and said mockingly, when 
they complained, that they became poor here in order to become 
rich in heaven. 

Because Julian had heard, that according to the Word 
of the Lord, Jerusalem should remain waste until the fulness 
of the Gentiles should have been converted to Christ, he 
sought to bring this word to nought by rebuilding. Jerusalem. 
But near the place, where the ground was dug, dreadful flames 
burst forth repeatedly and consumed the workmen, and the 
undertaking had to be given up. Finally he undertook a war 
against the Persians ; he was mortally wounded and died in 
the 32nd year of his life (363). When he received the 
wound, he is reported to have thrown a handful of blood into 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 337 

the air, with the words : " Oh ! Gahlaean ! Thou hast con- 
quered ! " He is generally known as '' Julian, the Apostate." 

Julian's successor, Jovian, repealed the laws against 
Christianity. Ambrosius was made bishop of Milan. He 
was humble of heart and a faithful pastor. From him Mo- 
nica, the mother of Augustine, obtained advice and comfort. 
He imposed a Church penance upon the emperor Theodosius. 
The emperor had decided in his anger and in spite of the 
prayers of Ambrosius, to punish the city Thessalonica, which 
in a revolt had killed an imperial officer (390). The attack 
was so sudden and vehement that within a few hours 7,000 
persons, guilty as well as innocent, were killed. Ambrosius 
wrote a warning letter to the emperor, cited the Word of 
the Lord to the prophet Ezekiel (Chap. 3 :i8) and added: " I 
love you, I love you tenderly. I pray for you ; but do not 
blame me, if God is more to me than you." — Soon thereafter 
the emperor came to Milan and desired to visit the church. 
But Ambrosius refused him entrance, if he had not previously 
done penance. Since the emperor appealed to King David, 
who also at one time had sinned, Ambrosius replied : *' If 
you have sinned as David, then do as David ; do penance." 
The mighty emperor bowed, did penance and remained for 
eight months at a distance from the church. Finally he came 
and said to Ambrosius': " I shall submit to all, which you 
may impose upon me." Ambrosius demanded public church 
penance, to which the emperor readily submitted. 

In the 4th and 5th centuries there lived many great 
teachers in the Church. Among these, John Chrysostom — 
golden-mouth — so called because of his eloquence, was espe- 
cially prominent. He was a minister of the Church of St, 
Sophia in Constantinople. Lactantius (d. 330) was a Latin 
writer at the court of Constantine. Eusebius, bishop of Cse- 
sarea in Palestine (d. 340), and the first Church historian; 
Hilary (d. 368) labored for the preservation of the true doc- 
trine in France. Athanasius (d. 372) has been mentioned 
above. Others deserving mention are Ephrem the Syrian 
(d. 378) ; Basilius, bishop of Csesarea in Cappadocia (d. 379) ; 
Gregory of Nissa (d. 394) ; Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem (d. 
386) ; Epiphanius (d. 403), an ardent opponent of real and 
apparent heretics; Hieronymus (Jerome) (d. 420), a monk 
in the cloister at Bethlehem, a very learned man, but often 
22 



338 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 

much too eager; Theodoret, a learned and pious student of 
the Scriptures and Church historian (d. 456) ; Leo, one of the 
most keen-minded and shrewdest of the bishops of Rome 
(d. 461) ; Gregory the Great, a pious man, who earnestly de- 
sired the spread of the Gospel (d. 604). 

A pillar of the Christian Church was Augustine. He 
was born in Tagaste, Africa. His father was a heathen, his 
mother Monica, a faithful Christian, who was very anxious 
for the salvation of her son's soul. Augustine was educated 
to be a teacher of rhetoric, but fell in with bad company, went 
astray until his 30th year. His mother prayed for him with- 
out ceasing. When she complained to the bishop Ambrosius 
and began to doubt the conversion of her son, he instilled 
her with fresh hope and said : " This son of tears will not 
be lost." Because of the preaching of Ambrosius, Augustine 
gained more and more respect for the Word of God. At one 
time he heard from the mouth of a pious old man the story of 
the conversion of Victorinus, a celebrated teacher of rhetoric. 
This affected him greatly. He called out to his friend Alyp- 
ius : ** The unlettered are gaining the kingdom of heaven, 
but we, with all our learning, are rolling in our sins." 

Thereupon Augustine hastened into the garden. His 
friend Alypius followed him. A flood of tears relieved his 
oppressed heart, and weeping he cast himself beneath a fig 
tree and prayed: ''Lord, O how long? Wilt Thou retain 
Thine anger forever ? Remember not my sins ! How long 
shall I say: Tomorrow — why not at this hour put an end 
to my servitude ? " — While yet thus praying, he heard this 
cry repeatedly from a neighboring yard : '* Tolle lege — tolle 
lege ! " that is, " Take and read." Augustine pondered over 
this, opened the letters of Paul, which he had with him, and 
read the words Romans 13:13, 14. Augustine saw in these 
words the innermost depths of his heart revealed; the al- 
mighty arm of the Lord, who frees from sin and death, was 
revealed to him; rest and peace poured into his heart, he 
recognized the hour of his rebirth, the transition from the Ufa 
of the flesh to the life of the spirit. His mother, however, 
praised with him the faithful God, who had finally heard her 
prayer. 

Augustine from this time on, lived wholly for the Lord,, 
who had taken mercy on him. Deeply he felt that his con- 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 339 

version was due to grace alone and not to merit. Soon there- 
after he betook himself to Africa, was made presbyter and 
finally bishop of Hippo. The free grace of God in saving 
sinful man was now his favorite theme, and for this precious 
gospel he desired to live and die. When therefore an Eng- 
lish monk Pelagius taught, contrary to the Word of God, 
that man could by his own efforts attain salavtion, and that 
he was not by nature sinful and estranged from God, Au- 
gustine arose, and victoriously refuted this pernicious doc- 
trine, to which the human heart, which has not recognized its 
depravity, is so much inclined. Augustine died at the age of 
y(y in the year 429. 

It is said not without reason, " When the goblets be- 
come golden, then the preachers become wooden." Through 
Constantine the Great, the Church attained outwardly to great 
power and prominence, but soon destructive influences began 
to develop within, causing many devout but ill-advised souls 
to withdraw into solitude. Such was the origin of monks 
and hermits, who in the 4th and 5th centuries increased so 
rapidly in number. The many doctrinal controversies also 
were destructive to the growth of the Church. They were 
carried on, as a rule, with great bitterness. While the Church 
was thus torn with dissensions, Rome laid the foundation of 
her future power. 

But soon the Lord came with His scourge and aroused 
once more the Church, which had become lax and worldly- 
minded. The Church, in the first half of the 7th century, suf- 
fered greatly at the hands of Mohammed, who had filled the 
whble Orient with terror, and at the point of the sword forced 
every one. Christian, Jew and heathen, to accept his false 
teaching. He died, in the year 632, after he had gained al- 
most 100,000 followers and had taken the holy city of Mecca. 
His work of destruction was continued by his successors, who 
called themselves caliphs, i. e., governors. In a short time 
Mesopotamia and Persia, Syria and Palestine, Egypt, North- 
ern Africa, Spain and Portugal had fallen into their hands; 
yes, they penetrated up to France and even appeared before 
the gates of Constantinople. Everywhere one heard the cry: 
" There is but one God and Mohammed is His prophet." — 
For a great part of Christendom it was a severe trial; since it 



340 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 

had not remained faithful to the Lord, and was no longer the 

salt of the earth. 

While the greater portion of the Eastern Church was 
being overrun by Mohammedanism, the Lord prepared the 
way for His Gospel among the uncivilized peoples, who, since 
the 4th century, had been storming the Roman empire. 
Amongst the Goths, on the Danube, Ulfilas spread the Gos- 
pel]^ among the Gauls (Frenchmen) ^lartin of Tours. The 
Burgundians, Suebi and Longobards became acquainted with 
Christianity on their expeditions of war into Gaul and Italy. 
To England, Gregory the Great (596) sent several mission- 
aries. From England and Ireland, there came later messen- 
gers of the Gospel to Germany : Columban to the Bavarians ; 
Gallus to Switzerland; Kilian to the East-Franconians ; 
Willebrord to the Frisians. — Of course at that time the Gos- 
pel had already been adulterated to a great extent with human 
additions, and many people were converted only outwardly 
to Christianity. 

In the year 716 the Englishman Winfred, later Boniface,. 
i. e., benefactor, journeyed into the wilds of Germany. He 
labored in Thuringia, Friesia, Hesse, Saxony and Bavaria at 
a great risk of his life. While on one of his journeys in 
Hesse he came, near Geismar, upon a huge oak, where the 
heathen were worshiping. Inspired with holy zeal, he had 
the oak cut down to show that their idolatry was vain. The 
astounded heathen permitted this to be done, in the expecta- 
tion that their god would punish this sacrilege on the spot. 
But when the oak fell, and they remained unpunished, they 
marveled greatly, and gladly heard Boniface. 

In the eventide of his life, an old man of 70 years, he de- 
sired to go into Friesia once more as a messenger of peace. 
The Lord blessed his work. Many were converted to Christ. 
One day the newly-converted were to be confirmed on the 
plain of Dokkum. The day appeared. But early in the 
morning there came, with sword and spear, a wild horde of 
heathen. Boniface called to his followers, who had taken 
position to oppose, and said : " Children, fight not ; the Word 
of God forbids us to avenge evil with evil." The heathen 
thereupon rushed on and killed Boniface together with 53 of 
his followers (754). 

In the year 809, Charlemagne was ruler of the Franks.' 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 341 

His kingdom embraced Germany, France, Italy and a part of 
Spain. Charlemagne was desirous of spreading Christianity 
throughout his whole empire ; but he did not always resort tq 
the best means. For example, he forced the Saxons to accept 
Christianity at the point of the sword. However, he did 
much for churches and schools. He loved the singing of sa- 
cred songs, and had singers and organ-players come from 
Italy, in order that the singing in the churches might be im- 
proved. He punished the greed of the bishops and enforced 
a better discipline among the clergy. 



IV. FROM CHARLEMAGNE TO THE REFORMA- 
TION. 

(From 814 to 1517 A. D.) 

In the reign of Louis the Pious, the successor of Charle- 
magne, the Lord called a man who gave himself entirely to 
the spreading of the Gospel among the northern people. This 
was Ansgar. He was born in France in the year 8oi, lost his 
mother in his fifth year, but never forgot her heartfelt ad- 
monitions. Even as a boy, he showed great earnestness, and 
disclosed a love for a life pleasing to God. When twenty 
years of age, he presided as rector over the famous monastery 
at Corvey. About this time, Harold, King of the Danes, 
came to Mayence and was baptized at Ingelheim (826). On 
this occasion he asked for a servant of God for his people. 
Ansgar, who was twenty-five years of age, was ready to ac- 
cept this call in the name of the Lord. One of his brother 
monks, Aubert, of noble family, went with him. When they 
had arrived in Denmark (826), Ansgar founded a seminary, 
in which young men were to be prepared for service as mis- 
sionaries. The first pupils were youths bought out of slavery. 
— In the year 829 Ansgar went to Sweden. Soon here also 
a Christian Church was organized. In the year 831 Ansgar 
was appointed arch-bishop of Hamburg. Here he labored 
with love for the spreading of the Gospel. Here also he 
founded a mission-school, and journeyed round about to the 
heathen. In the year 845 he was appointed arch-bishop of 
Bremen, also. He always led a very temperate life. But 
finally he fell sick. He felt that his end was near, and prepared 



342 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 

himself for it with fervent prayer. He departed this Hfe 
peacefully on the 3d of February, 865, in his sixty-fourth 
year. 

As Ansgar, so at this time and later, many Christians 
were awakened, who did not fail to heed the command o^ 
Christ, to go into all the world, and to preach the Gospel to 
every creature. Rembert (d. 888), Ansgar's successor^ 
preached the Gospel to the people of Brandenburg. Cyrillus 
and Methodius went as missionaries from Constantinople to 
the Bulgarians (866), and later to the Moravians. Finally 
the Gospel penetrated also to the Poles and to Russia. In 
the year 1168, the inhabitants of the island Rugen were forced 
by the Danes to accept Christianity. Just as forced was the 
conversion of the Livonians, Prussians and Lithuanians in 
the eleventh and twelfth centuries. A remarkable attempt, 
to extend the kingdom of Christ, were the expeditions against 
the Mohammedans, 'called Crusades (1096-1291), in which 
the sword was to do that which the Word of God alone is 
able. 

The bishop of Rome, who now called himself pope, i. e.^ 
father, attained at this time his greatest power. Before him 
bowed all people and their rulers. The man who succeeded 
in making the power of the pope felt to an unheard of degree 
was Hildebrand, the son of a carpenter in Italy, known as 
Pope Gregory VII. At that time Henry IV. was emperor 
of Germany. He did not wish to recognize the power of the 
pope ; he was placed under the ban by the latter and not re- 
leased until he submitted. In mid-winter, accompanied only 
by his wife and a faithful servant, he journeyed over the snow 
covered Alps to Italy and begged the pope for release. After 
a long refusal, the pope agreed, provided he submitted to the 
punishment, which he should impose upon him. When 
Henry was about to pass through the second of the three 
walls surrounding Canossa, where Gregory was on a visit, 
he was obliged to leave his retinue behind, and in the garb of 
a penitent, clad in sack cloth, to remain in the court-yard bare- 
footed for three days — and this in the beginning of January. 
On the fourth day, Gregory had him come before him and 
lifted the ban, but only on the most severe conditions. 

At this time the celebrated Anselm lived in England, one 
of the most learned and pious men of his time. Even in his 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. ' 343 

fifteenth year, he desired to enter a cloister, which, however, 
his father did not permit. He was now involved in the vani- 
ties of the world, and to his death he lamented this lost time. 
In the year 1060 he became a monk in a monastery in Nor- 
mandy, and finally arch-bishop of Canterbury in England, 
where he died in his seventyeighth year (1109). He left 
many writings, in which with the greatest acumen he dis- 
cussed the most important principles of the Christian faith. 
Of Christ's mediatorship, he says : '' I perceive, that the 
person, whom we seek as mediator, must be constituted as 
follows : He must not die of necessity, for he must be al- 
mighty (God) ; but he must also be a true man, that he might 
be a propitiation for the sins of man." He worshiped Christ 
as the true God-man. 

In the twelfth century, there lived a man, who was a 
great light of his time. This was Bernhard, born in Bur- 
gundy, France, in the year 1091. He was the third son of a 
noble family, and early showed himself open, more than his 
brothers, to the Christian influence of his mother, who was 
greatly anxious for the education of her children. In his 
school years, he made great progress in the sciences and be- 
came a powerful preacher, who did not fear to tell the truth 
even to the pope and the clergy. Similar voices bearing wit- 
ness against the ever-increasing evils in the Church became 
louder and louder. Almost simultaneously with the Bohe- 
mian and Moravian brethren, the Waldenses, who have pre- 
served their existence to the present time, bore witness against 
the corrruption in the Church. The latter owe their origin to 
a rich citizen of Lyons, Waldus by name, who made the Gos- 
pel the guide of his life and gave all his possessions to the 
poor. They were persecuted most cruelly bv the papal party. 
In England, the learned and acute John Wiclyffe, professor 
at the University of Oxford, began to preach publicly against 
several false doctrines, which at that time were accepted gen- 
erally, and to scourge the vices of the monks. In Bohemia, 
John Huss arose, and showed to the people the great injuries 
of which Christianity was suffering. Enlightened men of 
that time demanded a reformation of the Church " in head and 
members." But the popes sought only to affirm their power 
and to remove everything, which seemed to oppose their pre- 
posterous presumptions. It is true, in the year 1414, a gen- 



344 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HTSTORl:. 

eral Church-assembly (council) was called together at Con- 
stance, and an immoral pope was deposed from office, but a 
year after the pious John Huss, who had arisen as reformer, 
was condemned by the same assembly to be burned at the 
stake. In 141 6 his friend and co-worker Hieronymous (Je- 
rome) of Prague was forced to ascend the pyre. Nor did the 
conference, called together at Basel in 143 1, and which con- 
tinued to the year 1443, that is twelve years, accomplish a 
reformation. The hour of the Lord was not yet come, but 
was approaching. 



V. FROM THE REFORMATION TO THE PRESENT 

DAY. 

In the year 1483, a poor miner, Hans Luther, journeyed 
from the village Moera to the annual market at Eisleben. 
His wife accompanied him. Here in Eisleben, she bore, on 
the loth of November, a boy. This child, in accordance with 
God's wonderful plan, grew up to become the man of God, 
Martin Luther. Hans Luther later removed to Mansfeld. 
Here little Martin received his first instructions. His parents 
educated him in the fear of the Lord. In the year 1497, his 
father brought him to the school in Magdeburg, and the year 
following, to Eisenach, where he had to beat his way wretch- 
edly, until a pious woman, named Cotta, took him into her 
house and to her table. In the year 1501, Luther was ready 
to enter the university at Erfurt, where he devoted himself 
with great assiduity to the sciences. According to the wish 
of his father, he was to become a lawyer. But for this he 
had no liking; and when at one time on a journey his dear 
friend Alexius was killed at his side by lightning, he was 
moved so deeply that he withdrew entirely from the world 
and entered (1505) the monastery of the Augustines at Er- 
furt. 

In the monastery Luther had at first to do very hard 
work; nevertheless he searched the Holy Scriptures contin- 
ually and sought with great earnestness to live a holy and 
God-fearing life. But the more he sought, by means of all 
manners of penances, fasts and prayers and good works to 
attain his purpose, the more he felt his misery of sin and the 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 345 

weakness of human nature. In the anguish of his soul, he 
was cheered greatly by the comforting words of an old 
brother monk (Staupitz), who told him of the power of faith, 
and explained to him the cardinal truth of the Gospel, namely 
that we cannot become justified before God by any works 
whatsoever, but only by faith, which overcomes the world 
within us and without. Then the light of faith burst upon 
him, as it shone from the two passages of scripture, Romans 
1:17, and 3:28. He believed and found peace and comfort, 
in the conviction that all his sins were forgiven him, merely 
of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits. In this way 
Luther became a reformer, in that he himself first became re- 
formed through the free grace of God. In 1508 he was called 
to a professorship at the University of Wittenberg, where he 
taught with great success and directed his hearers especially 
to the Holy Scriptures. 

In the year 15 17 there came into that region a friar, John 
Tetzel by name. He engaged in the sale of indulgences in a 
shameless manner ; he sold letters of indulgence, which should 
accomplish the forgiveness of sins for the dead as well as for 
the living. Yes, Tetzel even sold indulgences for sins which 
one intended to commit. This pained Luther greatly. He 
nailed, therefore, on the thirty-first of October, 15 17, on the 
gates of the church at Wittenberg ninety-iive propositions or 
theses which he was ready to discuss. These theses were di- 
rected chiefly against indulgences and against justification by 
works in general; above all, this truth was emphasized, 
namely, that Jesus Christ alone makes us free from sin. 
Like a flash, these theses inflamed the minds of the people. 
Within fourteen days they were known throughout all Ger- 
many, and in six weeks throughout all Europe. No one 
dared to dispute them. Where one voice arose against Lu- 
ther, three declared themselves for him. The rage of the 
priests and monks, however, knew no bounds. The learned 
Erasmus said in jest and earnest: '* Luther has done wrong 
in two respects ; he has touched the crown of the pope and the 
stomach of the monks." 

At this time, the recently crowned emperor Charles V. 
had issued a summons, for a diet at Worms, and here also Lu- 
ther's case was to be investigated and decided. On the six- 
teenth of April, 1 52 1, Luther entered Worms. Even before 



346 EXTRA.CTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 

the city, his friends warned him, not to cast himself into the 
threatening danger. Luther answered : "To Worms I am 
called, to Worms I must go; and even though there were as 
many devils there as tiles on the roofs, I would enter never- 
theless." — Luther was asked in the presence of the emperor,, 
the cardinals, the bishops, ambassadors from the king and the 
pope and 200 other high officials, whether he would recant 
that which he had written. He asked for time for reflection. 
On the following day (April 18) he was summoned again. 
Luther declared now that he could not recant what he had 
written; but that he would gladly be refuted if it were done 
on Scriptural grounds. Then Dr. Eck arose, and demanded 
from Luther a short, concise answer, whether he would re- 
cant or not. Then Luther replied. " Since then a plain, sim- 
ple reply is demanded of me, I will give one, which shall have 
neither horns nor teeth : I believe neither the pope nor hi^ 
councils, for both have erred often, and contradicted them- 
selves. I can and will not therefore recant, except it be that 
I am refuted with passages from the Holy Scriptures, or with 
open clear reasons and causes; for it is neither safe nor ad- 
visable to do anything contrary to one's conscience. Here I 
stand ; I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen." 

Friends and enemies were astounded by this firm confes- 
sion of Luther. The emperor, however, declared him a here- 
tic on the following day, and placed him under the imperial 
ban ; nevertheless, the promised escort should be kept for him 
until his return home. When Luther's enemies sought to 
persuade the emperor not to grant the escort, that is protec- 
tion during his return, as his ancestor Sigismund had not 
kept it for Huss, he said : " And if all the world be untrue, 
nevertheless the German emperor will prove himself true and 
faithful. Even before this time, Luther had already been 
placed under the ban by the pope. The emperor permitted 
him to remain in safety at Worms twenty days longer. On 
the 3d of ^lay, 1521, he spent the night with his brother at 
IMoera, and on the following day, while journeying from here 
(he was just driving through a deep pass), when, behold f 
there came upon him five disguised knights, lifted him out of 
his wagon, placed him upon a horse and hastened aw^ay with 
him. They went through underbrush and forest until at 11 
o'clock in the evening they arrived at a high mountain castle. 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 34T 

This was the famed Wartburg. But he was kept like an im- 
prisoned nobleman, and they called him Junker George. This 
had been thus arranged by Luther's wise ruler, the Elector 
Frederick ; for otherwise he would not have been safe from 
the attacks of his enemies. Here in the Wartburg, Luther 
completed the translation of the New Testament, later with 
the aid of his friends Melanchthon and Bugenhagen, that of 
the Old Testament also. It was generally believed that Lu- 
ther was dead, and consequently the first outbreak of violence 
blew over. However he left the Wartburg as early as Ash 
Wednesday, 1522, and hastened to Wittenberg, where Carl- 
stadt and some others had created a great confusion. He 
succeeded by preaching eight sermons in subduing factions 
and zealots and in restoring order and quiet. 

The man whom the Lord called to begin the work of the 
Church Reformation in Switzerland was Ulrich (Huldreich) 
Zwingli, born on January i, 1484, in Wildhaus, in that part 
of Switzerland called the county of Toggenburg. As early 
as his tenth year, he was sent to Basel to learn the sciences, 
soon thereafter to Berne and later even to Vienna. In the 
year 1505 Zwingli was created Master of Philosophy. He 
turned now to theology, in which he had as a teacher Witten- 
bach, a learned man inclined towards the Reformation. 
Zwingli sought everywhere for the truth, read the Scriptures 
diligently, especially the letters of the Apostle Paul, which he 
almost committed to memory, and used in addition the writ- 
ings of the early teachers of the Church. In this manner con- 
tinually seeking for the truth, he was, from 1506 on, pastor 
of Glarus. From there he went, in 15 16, as pastor to the 
famous abbey of Einsiedeln, a place of pilgrimage in the Can- 
ton Schwyz. Here the gross superstitions brought him to a 
public acknowledgment of the truth, as it is in Jesus Christ; 
for in this monastery was shown, as is yet done today, a 
picture of Mary, which was credited with performing mir- 
acles, and before which yearly hundreds of thousands of pil- 
grims from far and near fell in prayer. Yes, over the en- 
trance of the abbey were cut the blasphemous words : 
"Here is full release from all sins." ZwingH opposed such 
an abomination. His word was heeded to the extent that 
the inscription was removed, and many of the relics were bur- 
ied. At Glarus he had preached the pure Word of God. 



348 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY, 

But at Einsiedeln, he emphasized even more the all sufficient 
merit of Christ, because he could not help seeing how dis- 
gracefully that had been relegated to the rear; he also bore 
witness from the pulpit against pilgrimages and all super- 
stitions. 

In 1 518 Zwingli received a call to Zurich. In his initial 
sermon he declared that he would preach the Word of God, 
and not that of men. And he did it, too. Two men of the 
council, who heard this sermon, said : '' Here we have a true 
preacher of the truth, he will tell us, how the case stands." 
When his opponents threw it up to him, that he was preach- 
ing Luther's teaching, he could assure them that he had 
preached the Word of God pure and undefiled for two years, 
before the name of Luther had become known to him. — In 
1520 the government at Zurich decreed that all ministers 
should preach the Word of God free and unhindered and 
should keep silence concerning all human institutions. In 
1523 there was a public religious discussion between him and 
the opponents of the Reformation. He wrote for it sixty- 
seven dogmas, which he defended victoriously. At the same 
time the learned and gentle Oekolampadius (1524) preached 
the Gospel in Basel. In Geneva, Viret and Farel arose as 
Reformers, who were joined in 1535 by the learned Calvin. 
The work of the Reformation soon found a permanent home 
in the cantons Berne, Neufchatel, Aarau, St. Gall, Thurgau 
and Schaffhausen ; yes, even Wurttemberg was influenced by 
the spirit of Zwingli and would be Reformed today, as well 
as Switzerland, had not Brenz and Andreae attempted a 
counter reformation and succeeded in a measure. In Strass- 
burg, Heidelberg, Mayence, Cologne, Treves and other cities ; 
yes, even in Brandenburg, the heart of the present kingdom 
of Prussia, the pulse-beats of the new life which had quickened 
in little Switzerland were strongly felt. 

Since Luther and Zwingli could come to no agreement 
concerning the doctrine of the Lord's Supper, they came to- 
gether at the desire of the Landgrave Philip of Hesse, to 
Marburg for a conference (1529). But no agreement was 
reached. Luther was unyielding and rejected coldly Zwing- 
li's hand offered in brotherly love, an act which hurt the 
good-hearted Swiss and even pressed out tears. And despite 
this, the pious Zwingli said of him later : '' In my estima- 



EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 34^^ 

tion, Luther Is as valorous a fighter of the Lord, one who 
searches the Scriptures with as great earnestness, as any one 
on the face of the earth, within the last thousand years." — 
The four Swiss cantons Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz and Unterwal- 
den barred out the Reformation. There arose between them 
and the Reformed cantons a great deal of friction, which 
finally broke out into open hostility. The Catholic party took 
to arms and advanced against Zurich with 8,000 men. It 
was a question now of protecting house and property, wife 
and child ; yet the inhabitants of Zurich were able to collect 
only 500. These advanced in the direction of Lake Zug 
against the enemy. In accordance with an old custom, 
Zwingli also had to set out and carry the flag. On the nth 
of October, 1531, they met each other in the neighborhood of 
Kappel. The troops of Zurich had to yield. Zwingli was 
hit on the head by a stone and sank to the ground. Three 
times he strove to arise, but each time fell to the ground again 
unconscious. Thus he was found by his enemies, his hands 
crossed over his breast awaiting in prayer his last hour. A 
wild warrior, sword in hand, called out to him : '' Will you 
go to the confessional and pray to the Holy Virgin ? '* 
Zwingli shook his head ; immediately the sword pierced him. 
The embittered enemies quartered his body, burned him and* 
scattered the ashes to the winds. — Luther died on the i8th 
of February, 1546, and as others continued his work, so also 
Bullinger stepped into the breach, caused by Zwingli's death, 
and continued his work at Zurich. — Melancthon died on the 
19th of April,. 1560; Calvin on the 27th of May, 1564. 

Soon after the death of the leaders of the Reformation 
there came, especially in Germany, instead of the youthful 
evangelic life, a dead orthodoxy. Controversies over single 
dogmas were many and passionate, and Melanchthon espe- 
cially together with those of like opinion, who did not agree 
fully with the strict Lutherans, had to experience the " rage of 
the theologians." In 1618 a religious war broke out, which 
raged for 30 years and converted Germany into a waste. 
Two-thirds of its inhabitants were destroyed by the sword, 
hunger and pestilence. This season of tribulation was fol- 
lowed again by a time of refreshment. God awakened in the 
evangelical Church, during the 17th and i8th centuries, a 
number of men who were filled with the Holy Ghost and who 



350 EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH HISTORY. 

infused into the dying Christianity a new Hfe. But this re- 
vival was followed again by a time of unbelief. This unbe- 
lief originated in England, and soon spread over France, 
Germany and other countries. The Word of God was re- 
jected, and it was claimed that the human reason was the 
most trustworthy guide to true happiness. In France, this 
infidelity rose to the highest degree. Sunday, the Christian 
festivals, together with everything which reminded one of 
Christianity, were set aside, and an immoral woman was 
carried about in a procession and worshiped as the Goddess 
of reason. And this occurred at the end of the eighteenth 
century. 

Although the Church of God continues to be a militant 
one and to have many a spot and wrinkle, yet God has not 
failed to declare Himself for it in our time. The century 
which has just passed, as well as the beginning year of the 
present, shows unmistakable signs of the continuous pres- 
ence of the Lord, who has said to His own : " Lo, I am with 
you alway, even unto the end of the world." His word, 
name, day and people are sought, loved and honored by 
thousands upon thousands. The Gospel is being proclaimed 
from countless pulpits ; in the churches an active life prevails 
and a bond of closer kinship and brotherly union is uniting 
Christendom. Christian benevolence is on the increase. 
Everywhere Christian societies are coming into being. Edu- 
cational and charitable institutions, whose purpose is to re- 
lieve physical and spiritual want, and to bring ever nearer 
the empire of peace of our common Saviour. And what ac- 
ceptable, yes surprising, progress has not the past century 
to show in the field of missions ! The zeal for the spread 
of the Gospel is continually becoming more general. Hardly 
ever before has the work of missions been in such bloom and 
strength as at present ; and never has the Lord opened to 
this Gospel as many doors, as in our time. Many willing 
messengers of the Gospel enter everywhere, and all believ^ 
ing Christian hearts pray to the Lord with one accord: 

Fly abroad, thou mighty Gospel! 

Win and conquer, — never cease; 
May thy lasting, wide dominions 

Multiply and still increase. 
Sway Thy scepter, 
Saviour! all the world around. 



Chronological Tables. 



I. FOR THE OLD TESTAMENT. 



Primitive Time. B. C. 

" Adam. 1326 

" Cain and Abel. 1286 

" Birth of Seth. 1198 

" Birth of Enoch. 11-67 

" Birth of Noah. 1147 

" The Deluge. 1107 

" Death of Noah. 1097 

B. C. 1057 

1993 Birth of Abraham; 1017 

1923 Abraham departs from Ur. 1014 

1918 Abraham goes from Haran to 

Canaan, 1007 

1893 Birth of Isaac. 977 
1853 Isaac marries Rebecca. 

1833 Birth of Jacob and Esau. 921 

1819 Death of Abraham. 918 

1742 Birth of Joseph. 916 
1714 Joseph a shepherd. 

1714 Death of Isaac. 901 

1714 Joseph in prison, interprets 883 

dreams. 861 

1712 Joseph before Pharaoh. 806 
1712 Beginning of the years of 

plenty. 728 

1705 Beginning of the years of 726 

famine. 723 

1703 Jacob goes to Egypt. 719 

1689 Death of Jacob. 

1633 Death of Joseph. 697 
1576 Birth of Aaron. 

1573 Birth of Moses. 640 

1493 Exodus. 640 

1493 The giving of the law on 628 

Sinai. 

1453 Death of Moses; Joshua sue- 623 

ceeds him. 606 

1447 Death of Joshua. 

1446 Beginning of the time of the 600 

Judges. 598 

351 



Deborah and Barak Judges. 

Gideon. 

Jephtha. 

Samson. 

Eli. 

Samuel. 

Saul is king. 

David is king. 

Solomon is king. 

The building of the Temple 

begun. 

The Temple finished. 

Division of the kingdom of 
Solomon. 

Ahab is king. 

Jehosaphat is king. 

Jehosaphat goes with Ahab 
against the Syrians. 

Jehoram king in Israel. 

Joas king in Judah. 

Joahas king in Israel. 

Azariah or Uzziah king in 
Judah. 

Hosea king in Israel. 

Hezekiah king in Judah. 

Shalmanezer takes Samaria. 

Beginning of the Assyrian 
captivity. 

Senacherib moves against Ju- 
dah. 

Manasseh is king. 

Josiah is king. 

Jeremiah i;he prophet is call- 
ed. 

Josiah cleanses the temple. 

Nebuchadnezzar besieges Je- 
rusalem. 

3,023 Jews led into captivity. 

Zedekiah is king. 



352 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLES. 



B.C. 


B. C. 


590 Nebuchadnezzar besieges Je- 


332 


rusalem for the second 




time. 


323 


588 Judah led into captivity in 




Babylon. 




555 Belshazzar is king. 


301 


553 Daniel's vision of the four 




monarchies. 


207 


538 Darius conquers Babylon. 




536 Koresh (Cyrus) king of Per- 


203 


sia. 




536 The Jews receive permission 


168 


to return. 




534 Daniel's second vision. 


167 


522 Xerxes stops the building of 




the temple. 




518 The building of the temple 


161 


resumed. 




516 The temple is finished. 


142 


515 Ezra comes to Jerusalem and 




arranges public worship. 


63 


479 Esther queen in Vashti's 


37 


stead. 


474 The fall of Haman, the ene- 


18 


my of the Jews. 




445 Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem 


1 


and becomes governor. 





The Jews become Grecian 
subjects. 

The Jews subject to Syria af- 
ter the death of Alexander 
the Great. 

The Jews under Egyptian 
rule (98 years) . 

Antiochus desecrates the tem- 
ple at Jerusalem. 

The Jews under Syrian rule 
(73 years) . 

The Jews compelled to give 
up the law. 

The death of Mattathias the 
priest, because of his zeal 
for the law. 

Judas Maccabseus loses hia 
life in battle. 

Simon takes the citadel of 
Jerusalem. 

Jerusalem taken by the Ro- 
mans. 

Herod the Great receives the 
crown. 
18 Herod begins to enlarge the 
temple. 

The annunciation of John 
the Baptist and of Christ. 



11. FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT. 



A. D. 



Jesus Christ, the Saviour of 
Avorld. is born. 
2 Death of Herod the Great. 
His successors are his 
three sons, Archelaus in 
Judsea, Herod Antipas in 
Galilee, Philip in Itursea. 

10 Archelaus banished to Vien- 
ne in Gaul ( France ) . His 
province is placed under 
Roman governors, subject 
to the governors in Syria. 

12 Jesus goes to Jerusalem with 
his parents. 

14 Death of Caesar Augustus. 
Tiberius his successor. 

25 Pilate governor of Syria, 
Judaea, and Samaria. 



A. D. 

28 John the Baptist at the Jor- 
dan preaching repentance. 

30 Jesus, baptized of John, be- 
gins to teach. 

32 John the Baptist beheaded 

by Herod Antipas. 

33 Suifering, death, resurrec- 

tion and ascension of 
Christ. 

34 Death of Philip, tetrarch of 

Itursea and Batansea. 

36 Pilate deposed and banished; 

commits suicide. 

37 Herod Agrippa receives the 

provinces of Philip and 
the title of king. 

38 The conversion of Paul the- 

apostle. 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLES. 



353 



A. D. 
39 



41 

44 
44 

45 



48 
61 

52 

53 
54 



Herod Antipas is banished 
to Gaul; iiis provinces giv- 
en to Agrippa. 

Paul's first visit in Jerusa- 
lem after his conversion. 

Paul and Barnabas in Anti- 
och. 

James the elder beheaded 
at the command of Herod 
Agrippa; Peter is cast in- 
to prison. Death of 
Agrippa soon thereafter. 

Famine in Judsea, from 44 to 
46. Paul goes to Jerusa- 
lem twice with aid and 
soon thereafter sets out on 
his first missionary jour- 
ney. 

Herod Agrippa II. becomes 
prince of Chalcis and su- 
perintendent of the temple 
in Jerusalem. 

The Council of the Apostles 
in Jerusalem. Paul vis- 
its the city a third time 
and then sets out on his 
second missionary journey. 

Paul arrives in Corinth; be- 
comes acquainted with 
Aquila and Priscilla. 

The writing of the two epis- 
tles to the Thessalonians. 

Paul in Asia Minor. Goes 
to Jerusalem the fourth 
time and sets out on his 
third missionary journey. 



A. D. 

55 Paul arrives at Ephesus and 
remains there for two 
years. 

57 Paul flees to Macedonia, goes 

from there to Achaia and 
writes the first and second 
epistles to the Corinthians, 
and the first epistle to 
Timothy. 

58 Paul is again at Corinth, 

writes the epistle to the 
Romans, goes to Jerusa- 
lem to the feast of Pente- 
cost, is imprisoned; held 
captive in Csesarea for two 
years. 

60 Paul before Felix; he ap- 

appeals to Caesar and is 
sent to Rome. Felix is 
deposed and Festus takes 
his place. 

61 Paul arrives in Rome and is 

held captive there for two 
years. 

62 James the Just suffers a 

martyr's death. 

64 The first persecution. Paul 
is beheaded, Peter is cruci- 
fied'. 

67 Beginning of the Jewish war, 
which lasted seven years. 
The Christians in Judaea 
flee to Pella and are safe. 

70 Destruction of Jerusalem 
by Titus. 

95 John the apostle banished to 
Patmos. 
100 John dies at Ephesus. 



III. IMPORTANT HISTORICAL EVENTS. 



A.D. 



A. D. 



33 Outpouring of the Holy 
Ghost. Birthday of the 
Christian Church. 

35 Conversion of the centurion 
Cornelius. Beginning of 
foreign missions. 
23 



40 Founding of the Church at 
Antioch, where the believ- 
ers were first called Chris- 
tians. 

64 First persecution of the 
Christians under the Em- 
peror Nero, 



354 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLES. 



A. D. 

95 Second persecution. Banish- 
ment of John. Domitian. 

105 Third persecution, in the 
reig-n of the Emperor Tra- 
jan. 

161 Fourth persecution, in the 
reign of Marcus Aurelius. 

202. rifth persecution, in the 
reign of the Emperor Sep- 
timius Severus. 

235 Sixth persecution, in the 
reign of the Emperor Max- 
imus. 

250 Seventh persecution, in the 
reign of the Emperor 
Decius. 

257 Eighth persecution, in the 
reign of Emperor Valerian. 

274 Ninth persecution, in the 
reign of the Emperor Au- 
relian. 

303 Tenth and most bloody per- 
secution, in the reign of 
the Emperor Diocletian. 

311 The Emperor Constantino 
embraces Christianity, 

314 Toleration granted to all re- 
ligions in the Roman Em- 
pire. 

324 Christianity is made the 

state religion. 

325 First Church council in Xi- 

csea. The Xicene creed. 

330 Heathenism forbidden. Clos- 
ing of the pagan temples. 

355 Beginnings of relic worship. 

363 The Gothic translation of the 
Bible of Ulfilas makes its 
appearance. 

375 Calling on the saints first be- 
gun. 

381 The synod acknowledges pre- 
cedence to the Roman 
bishop. 

400 Pictures introduced into the 
churches. 

429 Death of Augustine, Bishop 
of Hippo, 

569 Mohammed born. 
690 Gregory the Great, bishop of 
Rome. <^ 



A D. 
69z Crucifixes, tonsure, money 
for masses come into use. 
716 Boniface, the Apostle of the 

Germans. 
726 The Emperor Leo forbids the 

use of pictures, 
763 Introduction of the confes- 
sional, 
869 Pope Nicholas forbids the 

priests to wed. 
880 Separation of the Greek and 
Roman churches. 
1049 Chiu-ch council at Rheims. 
The pcpe is acknowledged 
generally as the head of 
the Church. 
1096 The first crusade to the Holy 

Land. 
1099 Jerusalem taken by storm. 
Foundation of the order of 
St. John. 
1170 Peter ^Yaldus, founder of the 
church of the Waldenses. 
1187 Sultan Saladin captures Je- 
rusalem. The Christian 
power in the Orient 
broken. 
1229 The inquisition introduced 

in France. 
1363 Wy cliff e translates the Bi- 
ble into the English lan- 
guage. 
1387 A schism in the Church for 
50 years. Three popes 
ruled. 

1414 The chalice in the Lord's 

Supper withheld from the 
people. 

1415 John Huss of Bohemia is 

burned at the stake in 
Constance. 

1416 Hieronymus (Jerome) of 

Prague barned at the 

stake. 
1440 Invention of printing. 
1453 Constantinople taken by the 

Mohammedans. 
1457 The Bohemian and Moravian 

brethren. 

1483 Martin Luther born. 

1484 Huldreich Zwincrli born. 



CHRONOLOGICAL TABLES. 



355 



A. D. 

1492 Discovery of America by- 
Christopher Columbus. 

1505 Knox, the reformer of Scot- 

land, born. 

1506 Zwingli preaches the Gospel 

in Glarus. 

1516 Zwingli in the Abbey of Ein- 

seideln, where he combats 
superstition. 

1517 The 95 theses of Luther. Be- 

ginning of the Reforma* 
tion in Germany. 

1521 Luther at the Diet of Worms. 
He is taken to the Wart- 
burg. 

1524 The entire canton Zurich be- 
comes reformed. 

1526 The Reformation in Hesse. 
The Bible translated into 
Swedish. 

1528 Reformation in St. Gallen, 

Basel, Constance, Toggen- 
burg. 

1529 Diet at Speyer; Protestants. 

1530 The confession at Augsburg. 

1531 Zwingli dies on the battle- 

field of Kappel. 

1534 Bible translated into Ger- 
man by Luther. 

1539 Calvin in Strassburg. 

1546 Dr. Martin Luther dies 
(18th of February). 

1559 Persecution of the Hugue- 

nots in France. 

1560 Death of Melanchthon. 

1563 Heidelberg catechism pub- 

lished by Ursinus and 
Olevianus. 

1564 The death of Calvin, the Re- 

former of Geneva. 

1572 Massacre on St. Bartholo- 
mew's night, in Paris. 
More than 30,000 Hugue- 
nots ( Reformed ) murder- 
ed. 

1618 Beginning of the Thirty 
Years' War — a religious 
war. 



A. D. 

1630 Gustavus Adolphus, the 

Swedish king, comes to the 

aid of the Protestants. 
1648 End of the Thirty Years' 

War. 
1685 Repeal of the Edict of 

Nantes. Persecution of 

the Reformed. 
1720 Founding of Methodism in 

England. 
1723 Founding of the Moravian 

church, by Count Zinzen- 

dorf. 
1794 First Missionary Society 

founded in England. 

1816 Founding of the Mission 

House in Basle. 

1817 Organization of the United 

Church in Prussia. 

1834 Slavery abolished in the 
British West Indies. 

1853 The gates of Japan opened 
by Commodore Perry. 

1861 American Civil War. More 
than 4,000,000 slaves set 
free. 

1869 Jano, the first Japanese bap- 
tized in Yokohama. 

1872 Founding of the first Re- 

formed church in Japan. 

1873 Meeting of the Evangelical 

Alliance in New York. 

1881 Organization of the first 
Christian Endeavor Soci- 
ety. 

1893 Congress of religions. 
World's Columbian Expo- 
sition. 

1898 Ejection of Spain from West- 
ern Hemisphere. Hague 
Peace Conference. 

1900 The Boxer uprising in China. 

1900 Ecumenical missionary con- 
ference in New York. 

1902 Pres. Roosevelt lays corner- 
stone of Grace Reformed 
Church, Wash., D. C. 



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